Apulian Red-Figure Pelike

Pelike is the term used to describe a type of amphora with two handles, where the broadest part of the body is below the mid-point of its height. The shape of the vessel was originally designed as a storage receptacle for liquids, particularly oil and wine, but it is likely that elaborately decorated examples such as this one served a funereal purpose

The obverse depicts a standing draped female on the left, with her hair elegantly arranged beneath a sakkos. Beaded jewelry also adorns her neck and wrist. To the right is a naked male youth with a fillet in his hair. He is seated on his chalmys and holds a kettledrum in his right hand and a thyrsus in his left. Although his seat is angled away from the female, he looks over his shoulder towards her enabling the two figures to interact. The band above the body is filled with the rosette and dotted ovolo motif, whilst that below the figures features the meander pattern.

The reverse depicts two standing draped youths, one of which rests upon a staff. The figures are flanked on both sides by a palmette design but in contrast to the obverse, the neck of the vessel is decorated with the laurel wreath motif.