Crater of Derveni

The crater of Derveni is a crater with Volute S discovered in 1962 in a tomb with Derveni, not far from Thessalonique, and preserved at the archaeological Musée of Thessalonique. Weighing 40 kg, it consists of a special Alliage containing Bronze and of learnedly proportioned tin, which enables him to post a superb gilding without to make the least use of Or.

At the time of its discovery, the crater was used as funeral urn for an aristocrat Thessalie N whose name is engraved on the vase: Astiôn, wire of Anaxagoras, Larissa. It was before intended to operate a mixture between the Vin, imbuvable only, the Eau, and undoubtedly various Aromate S, the drink there was then drawn and distributed to the guests at the time of ritual or festive celebrations.

The vase is composed of two sheets of Métal which were hammered then united, while the Anse S and the volutes were molten. The upper part of the crater is decorated with decorative reasons (Godron S, palmettres, acanthuses, garlands of ivy), but so figurative: the top of the collar presents to a plank animals and especially, Satyre S in Ronde-bosse négligemment sat on the shoulder of the vase, in an attitude preceding that of the Faune Barberini. On the paunch, the plank in relief, high of 32,6 cm, constitutes an anthem with the divinities ARIANE and Dionysos, surrounded of the Thiase (procession of satyrs and Ménades). A fitted warrior of only one foot is also present, which the identity remains discussed: Penthée, Lycurgue of Thrace or Jason?

One is unaware of the place and the exact date of his manufacture. Being based on the dialectal forms of the inscription, certain commentators think that it was manufactured in Thessalie, at the time of the revolt of the Aleuades, towards 350 av. J. - C. Of others estimate that it was manufactured towards 330 - 320 av. J. - C. by artists of the court of Philippe II of Macedonia.

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