Regina Vasorum

The Regina Vasorum or Queen of Vases is a 4th-century BC hydria from Cumae depicting Eleusinian divinities with gilded flesh in polychrome relief. It is held in the collections of the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, it is valued as an iconographical source for ancient Greek religion.

Drawing of Eleusinian figures around the neck of the Queen of Vases

Photo of the Regina Vasorum; the hydria stands 65.5 cm high^[1]

The Regina Vasorum is a "spectacular" and unusually large example of technical experimentation among Greek potters after the red-figure style had run its course.^[2] The figures were made separately, painted, and gilded, then attached to the vase with slip,^[1] possibly by sprigging.

See also

• South Italian ancient Greek pottery

Sources

• Elena Ananitch, Lucanian Vases («L'Erma» di Bretschneider, 2005), p. 7 online.
• Kevin Clinton, Greek Sanctuaries, p. 92 online.
• Beth Cohen, The Colors of Clay: Special Techniques in Athenian Vases (J. Paul Getty Museum, 2006), p. 115.
• Erika Simon, Festivals of Attica: An Archaeological Commentary (University of Wisconsin Press, 1983), passim.

External links

• Color photo of the Regina Vasorum at the website of the Hermitage Museum

References

1. The State Hermitage Museum – Hydria: Regina Vasorum
2. Harvey Alan Shapiro, Carlos A. Picón, Gerry D. Scott, "Introduction to South Italian Vases," in Greek Vases (San Antonio Museum of Art, 1995), p. 252 online.