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Terracotta kernos (vase for multiple offerings)

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Eros, God of Love

Eros, God of Love
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Terracotta kernos (vase for multiple offerings)

Period:
Early Cycladic III–Middle Cycladic I
Date:
ca. 2300–2200 B.C.
Culture:
Cycladic
Medium:
Terracotta
Dimensions:
Overall: 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm) Other: 14in. (35.5cm)
Classification:
Vases
Credit Line:
Purchase, The Annenberg Foundation Gift, 2004
Accession Number:
2004.363.1

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 151

  • Description

    Although the kernos was used in widely disparate regions during the prehistoric period, particularly impressive examples have come to light in the Cyclades, and this is one of the grandest preserved. The receptacles probably contained foodstuffs of various kinds or perhaps of flowers.

    The kernos was found, together with the jar (2004.363.2) and the jug (2004.363.3) displayed nearby in this gallery, in 1829 in a tomb on Melos by Captain Copeland, a British naval officer. In 1857 his widow gave the objects to Eton College, where they remained until coming to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on loan in 1996.

  • Provenance

    Said to be from Melos (Bosanquet 1896-97, p. 58, no. 8).

    1829, excavated from a tomb in Melos; by 1836, acquired by Captain Copeland, R.N., in Greece; until 1857, collection of Captain Copeland, England; 1857-2004, Copeland collection, Eton College; 1996-2004, on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art; acquired June 7, 2004, purchased from Eton College, England.

  • References

    Bosanquet, R.C. 1896-97. "Notes from the Cyclades." Annual of the British School at Athens 3: 58, no. 8, 60.

    McConnell, J., ed. 1976. Treasures of Eton. London: Chatto and Windus, p.146, fig. 130.

    Picón, C.A. 1986. Classical Antiquities from Private Collections in Great Britain. A Loan Exhibition in Aid of the Ashmole Archive. Exhibition Catalogue. London: Sotheby's, p. 16, no. 2, pl. 1.

    Picón, Carlos A. 2005. "Recent Acquisitions, A Selection: 2004-2005." The Metropolitan Musem of Art Bulletin 63(2): p. 6.

    Masello, D. et al. 2005. "100 Top Treasures." Art and Antiques 28, no.11 (November): 101-102, no. 95.

    Picón, Carlos A. 2006. "A Group of Cycladic Vases in New York." In Genethlion, edited by N. Stampolides. Athens: Hidryma Nikolaou P. Goulandre: Mouseio Kykladikes Technes, pp. 35-42, figs. 1, 4.

    Picón, Carlos A., et al. 2007. Art of the Classical World in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, no. 13, pp. 37, 411.

    Mertens, Joan R. 2010. How to Read Greek Vases. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, no. 1, pp. 11, 24, 32-35.

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    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
    MetPublications
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