Amphora
Attic , 540 a.C. - 530 a.C.
Description
The pinkish clay amphora is painted with black paint. The main decoration depicts a scene very common on ceramics of the period: two warriors facing each other. The panel is bordered on the upper wall by a row of hanging lotus buds, connected by intertwined arches. On the other side appears a quadrille seen from the front, with the charioteer standing in the center. Because of the quality of the decoration and the state of preservation, this amphora can be considered one of the best pieces in the archaeological collection.
Data Sheet
Author
Attic
Date
540 a.C. - 530 a.C.
Material and technique
ceramics (black-figure)
Measures
height 38 cm; diameter at the rim 15.7 cm
Acquisition
Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli bequest, 1879
Inventory number
1063
location
Murano Glass Room
The room was the bedroom of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli and houses both the collection of archaeological objects and the collection of Murano glass, about two hundred pieces purchased largely by Gian Giacomo himself and initially kept in the Studiolo Dantesco. The Murano Glass Room was severely damaged by bombing in ’43: the lacunar ceiling, the frieze frescoed by Luigi Scrosati and the fireplace, also by Scrosati, were lost. The beautiful doors carved by Giuseppe Ripamonti and some furnishings were saved.
collection
Archaeology
The collection of archaeology includes over 220 Etruscan and Roman items: arms, ceramics, sculptures and jewellery from grave goods dating between the 4th century BC and the 2nd century AD. In this collection, is evident Gian Giacomo’s passion for arms, but there are also Attic ceramics and small Roman sculptures. Recently, the Museum has acquired the Necchi Rizzi archaeological collection.