18th Century Decorative Arts - Great Hall Costume Corridor Level 2, NGV International
Physical description
Large, elaborately decorated vessel with an ovoid body, wide neck and flaring mouth. Each of the two handles reach from the shoulder to the rim, with moulded swans' heads at the base of the handle and a moulded "volute" at the rim in the form of a satyr/silenus mask. Main scene Side A: Dionysus is seated at right, facing a standing Maenad at left holding a phiale; above them is a winged Nike. On the neck of A Eros drives a chariot drawn by birds. Main scene Side B: Bearded Herakles, his foot on a rock, receives a branch from a winged Nike with swirling drapery. On the neck of B are vegetal and floral scrolls. Under the handles are elaborate palmettes. On the rim edge is a wave pattern and under the rim is a band of laurel. Shoulder of A: ivy pattern; shoulder of B: laurel.