Download Catalog
Download
Pricelist
We Guarantee:
Authenticity
Friendly Service
Prompt Shipping
Highest Integrity
100% Satisfaction
Contact:
fragments@aol.com
Important Scene from Homer: the Birth of Achilles and Presentation to Chiron
Circa 4th-5th Century AD
Description: Fragment from a large rectangular redware platter, generally called an "Achilles Plate" due to its decoration around the perimeter of the life of the great Greek Trojan War hero Achilles. The scene in this fragment is of the birth and childhood of Achilles. The reclining woman with the cup in her hand is the Nymphess of the sacred River Styx. Just to the left of the nymphess there are remains of the prior scene in which the goddess Thetis dips the infant Achilles in the sacred river, holding him by the back of his ankles, in an futile effort to assure his immortality. The second half of the present scene depicts the child Achilles being led by the hand of his mother Thetis as she presents him to the wise half-man, have-beast centaur Chiron to receive his education. Custom mounted.
Length: 3 in. (7.5 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown.
Provenance: Formerly a West Coast (USA) property.
Background: Though a centaur, Chiron was revered as a noble and intellectual teacher. He was entrusted the education not only of Achilles, but a long tradition of heroes including Hercules, Jason and Asciepius. The scene of Achilles' being tutored by Chiron is famous in antiquity as evidence by the very famous wall painting decorating an ancient Roman villa at Herculaneum in Italy:
Price: $ 750
Copyright ©2011 by Fragments of Time - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED