Red-figure Kylix

The tondo of the present kylix is decorated with a scene of a heavily draped youthful female figure holding a phiale, offering a libation over an altar. The exterior frieze depicts women engaged in activities from daily life. Three women occupy each side: on the one, the central figure stands before a klismos (chair) and holds an open garment box as well as a small garment or fillet. The women on the left and right of her hold amirror and an ivy garland, respectively. On the other side, the central figure also holds a fillet and a box and stands between two kalathoi (baskets for holding produce or wool)at her feet. On her left, another woman holds a fillet, while the third, on the right, holds her hand aloft but does not carry any object. The exterior is also decorated with palmettes below the handles, as well as ivy leaves on each of the handles’ sides.
These paintings are attributable to one of the followers of the Early Classical cup painter Douris, whose long career spanned from 500 to 460 B.C. There are several early Classical cup painters who can be assigned as followers of this influential Athenian vase-painter, who signs his work many times, and whose great output has been carefully catalogued by vase painting scholars. In particular, the late Dr. Robert Guy wrote his doctoral dissertation on the followers of Douris.