Red Slip jug with figure of Hermes on the shoulder holding a jug

Images(3)

Red Slip jug with figure of Hermes on the shoulder holding a jug

Date400-310 BCE

Periodlate Classical

Object GeographyMarion, Cyprus

Geography NotesSaid to be from Cyprus

MediumCeramic (wheelmade) with terracotta figurine (moldmade) and red slip

DimensionsOverall
Height: (11 1/4 in.) 28.5 cm
Diameter (body): (6 5/8 in.) 16.75 cm
Neck
Thickness (wall): (1/4 in.) 0.65 cm
Base
Diameter: (3 3/16 in.) 8.13 cm
Rim
Diameter (exterior): (2 1/16 in.) 5.25 cm
Diameter (interior): (1 5/16 in.) 3.3 cm
Handle
Width (double rolled handle, at break): (7/8 in.) 2.26 cm
Thickness (double rolled handle, at break): (7/16 in.) 1.12 cm
Neck
Diameter (at bottom): (1 11/16 in.) 4.28 cm
Diameter (at narrowest): (1 5/16 in.) 3.28 cm
Diameter (at top): (1 5/16 in.) 3.4 cm
Jug held by figure
Length: (1 1/8 in.) 2.83 cm
Diameter (rim, exterior): (7/8 in.) 2.26 cm
Diameter (rim, interior aperture): (1/2 in.) 1.32 cm
Thickness (handle): (3/16 in.) 0.53 cm
Thickness (wall, at rim): (1/8 in.) 0.36 cm
Figure
Height: (3 3/4 in.) 9.55 cm
Width: (1 5/8 in.) 4.15 cm
Thickness: (1 1/2 in.) 3.88 cm
Figure face
Height: (11/16 in.) 1.8 cm
Width: (9/16 in.) 1.36 cm

ClassificationCeramics

Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936

Object numberSN28.622

The figure standing on the shoulder of this jug holds a staff called a kerukeion, a characteristic object (attribute) of a messenger deity. Probably the figure is the god Hermes rather than the goddess Iris. Some artists may have been both potters and coroplasts, those who made terracotta figures.

On View

Not on view

Collections

Medium Details

Color

Fabric: 10R 5/4 (weak red); core 10R 5/6 (red)

Slip: 10R 4/2 (weak red) to 10R 5/6 (red)

Inclusions

many sand, some gravel