Faliscan Red-Figure Stamnos

Small globular stamnos, belonging to the so-called 'fluid group', with small collared neck, wide mouth and vertical handles on the shoulder. Relief lines in the decorative borders, the ovolo and tongue patterns on the collar, around the handles lavish tendril and palmette ornaments with foreshortened campanula flowers enriched with white details. On one side, a youth is portrayed seated and holding a long campanula stem, while on the other side, a nude youth is engaged with a bearded silenus and both are holding a dove in their hands. This subject derived most probably from the Greek repertoire and involved mostly Dyonisiac motifs, linked to the same function of the stamnos, which was used to store wine; perhaps these motifs were instrumental in the passage of those who drank from the vessel to a happy afterworld.

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