Calyx Krater (mixing bowl for wine and water): Return of Hephaistos to Olympos

The Kleophrades Painter

c. 500 BCE

Terracotta

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

A large terracotta krater decorated with figures in black-figure style. The scene depicts a procession of figures, some playing instruments, and a centaur. A large terracotta krater decorated with figures in black-figure style. The scene depicts a procession of figures, some playing instruments, and a centaur. This krater (mixing bowl for wine and water) features a lively depiction of the return of the god of the forge Hephaistos to Olympos, the home of the gods. Hephaistos had previously been exiled from the land of the gods since he had insulted is mother, queen of the gods, Hera. The parade, featuring Dionysos, Hephaistos, and satyrs follows the wine god and circles around the entire vase with no clear beginning or end. On one side, the god Dionysos, who takes a central place on thi