Eye-cup with Dionysos and Ariadne
Date: ca. 520-510 B.C.
Dimensions:height: 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm)
width with handles: 14 13/16 in. (37.6 cm)
rim diameter: 12 3/16 in. (30.9 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Gilbert M. Denman, Jr.
Object number: 86.134.56
Signed: Signed by Nikosthenes as potter between the eyes and eyebrows on Side A: NIKOΣΘENEΣ EΠOEΣEN
Provenance: sold by Galerie Günter Puhze, Freiburg, to Gilbert M. Denman, Jr. (1921-2004), San Antonio, 1984; Gilbert M. Denman, Jr., by gift to the San Antonio Museum of Art, 1986
Published References
J. Jordan, "Attic Black-figured Eye Cups" (Diss., New York University, 1988) 83-4, pl. 31, 2-3
H.A. Shapiro, C.A. Picon, G.D. Scott, III, eds., “Greek Vases in the San Antonio Museum of Art” (San Antonio, 1995) pp. 103-5, no. 50
V. Tosto, "The Black-figure Pottery Signed Nikosthenes Epoiesen" (Allard Pierson Museum, 1999)
Label TextThis large cup was used for drinking wine. On the outside, grapevines curve around two pairs of enormous eyes that stared at the drinker and his companions. Dionysos, god of wine, appears between one set of eyes, and his consort Ariadne stands between the other. After draining the cup, the drinker found himself facing the alarming image of a Gorgon, a female monster whose terrifying appearance could turn those who saw her to stone. (Jessica Powers 2014)
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
