Ure Museum Database



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Accession_Number 53.8.1
Shape Mesomphalos phiale
Shape_description Mesomphalos phiale with a thickened rounded lip, with a slight carination on the inside edge, with convex walls, sloping down to a flat plate, at the centre of which is an omphalos (raised central boss), decorated in relief all around.
Material Terracotta
Fabric Campanian or Calenian
Fabric_description
Munsell_color 10YR 7/4
Decoration Glazed black except for a reddish band around the omphalos. Relief decoration encircling the omphalos consists of (from centre out) eight raised dots; two ridges, a figural frieze, and a vine wreath. The figural frieze depicts the apotheosis of Herakles (procession to Mount Olympos). Four quadrigae (four-horse chariots) are driven in 3/4-view to the left by winged victories, each with a different passenger: (1) Athena, (2) Herakles, (3) Ares and (4) Dionysos (?). Small flying Erotes hover behind each chariot.
Inscriptions
Condition Complete but slightly chipped on the rim. There is a crack around the base of the omphalos. The relief decoration and gloss are worn.
Technique/Style Relief; black glaze
Provenance
Period High Hellenistic
Date 250-200
Dating_details
Artist
Attribution
Image

2003.92.0273.jpg
Top view of a Calenian mesomphalos phiale, showing (in relief) the apotheosis of Herakles.

2003.92.0274.jpg
Detailed view of a Calenian mesomphalos phiale, showing (in relief) a quadriga driven by Nike (Victory), with Herakles and Eros.

2003.92.0275.jpg
Detailed view of a Calenian mesomphalos phiale, showing (in relief) the apotheosis of Herakles.

2003.92.0276.jpg
Detailed view of a Calenian mesomphalos phiale, showing (in relief) the apotheosis of Herakles.

2003.92.0278.jpg
Detailed view of a Calenian mesomphalos phiale, showing (in relief) the apotheosis of Herakles.

2003.92.0279.jpg
Bottom view of a Calenian relief-decorated mesomphalos phiale, showing the underside.

2003.92.0280.jpg
Side view of a Calenian mesomphalos phiale, showing curved walls.

2003.98.0135.jpg
Top view of a Calenian mesomphalos phiale, showing (in relief) the apotheosis of Herakles.

2003.98.0136.jpg
Bottom view of a Calenian relief-decorated mesomphalos phiale, showing the underside.

2003.98.0137.jpg
Side view of a Calenian relief-decorated mesomphalos phiale, showing part of interior and top of omphalos.

2004.01.0011.jpg
Top view of a Calenian (Campanian) mesomphalos phiale, showing Herakles' apotheosis in relief decoration.

2010.98.0061.jpg
Top view of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale, showing the interior of a relief, depicting the apotheosis of Herakles to Mount Olympus.

2010.98.0062.jpg
Detail of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale, showing a relief, depicting the apotheosis of Herakles to Mount Olympus.

2010.98.0063.jpg
Detail of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale, showing a relief, depicting the apotheosis of Herakles to Mount Olympus.

2010.98.0064.jpg
Detail of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale, showing a relief, depicting the apotheosis of Herakles to Mount Olympus.

2010.98.0065.jpg
Detail of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale, showing a relief, depicting the apotheosis of Herakles to Mount Olympus.

2010.98.0066.jpg
Underside of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale.

2010.98.0067.jpg
Underside of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale.

2010.98.0068.jpg
Oblique view of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale, showing a relief, depicting the apotheosis of Herakles to Mount Olympus.

2010.98.0069.jpg
Side view of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale.

2010.98.0070.jpg
Side view of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale.

2010.98.0071.jpg
Side view of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale.

2010.98.0072.jpg
Side view of a black-glazed, Calenian, mesomphalos phiale.
Comparanda
Bibliography Ure 1963, 61-62 no. 24, fig. 17
Archive_Ref
Beazley_DB
Height 3.0
Diameters 17.7; omphalos 4.1
Handle_height
Other_dims.
Location Myth and religion
Edited_by Denise; Amy; Kinsey; Teifi; Joana Varela
Date_edited 09.08.2002; 20.11.2003; 11.01.2006; 02.08.2006; 05.04.2017
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