Stock No: 15551

A very large 19th century twin handled maiolica vase in the form of a wine krater. The exquisite hand painted decoration includes two central cartouches, one depicting Bacchus and Ariadne reclining within an allegorical scene. Bacchus loosely hold his thyrsus, a wand of giant fennel whilst Ariadne embraces him.

On the verso is a depiction of a Bacchic procession, Bacchus holds grapes aloft whilst he rides in a chariot drawn by a lion and a goat, as maenads dance around in ecstasy. These scenes are framed by winged grotesque handles and the entirety of these vase is decorated profusely, including the socle, where a putto is depicted inscribing a tablet.

Italian, c.1890. Possibly Neapolitan. .

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