The few pottery exhibits of the Delphi Archaeological Museum include a famous shallow bowl (kylix) with an unusual depiction of the god Apollo. In the white-ground red-figure technique, it was found in a grave underneath the museum.

White ground, Attic, c. 460, Apollo pours a libation, detail.[1]

It is the work of an Attic workshop, around 480–470 BC. Scholars have suggested Euphronios or Onesimos as the painter, or described it as in the manner of the Pistoxenos Painter.[2] The scene depicted evokes the verse from the second hymn to Apollo found inscribed on the southern wall of the Treasury of the Athenians: "Sing for the gold-haired Pythios who aims far with his bow and arrow and plays nicely the lyre".

Description

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The whole bowl, from above

Inside the cylix Apollo is depicted with an elaborate hairdo and a laurel wreath on his head, sitting on a chair, the legs of which end up in lion's paws. The god wears a white chiton, a red himation (cloak) and sandals. A seven-stringed lyre is attached to his left hand with a red stripe, whereas with his right hand he pours a libation out of a shallow bowl (patera) decorated with patterns in relief. Opposite the god is a black bird, for which several explanations have been offered: it is identified either as an oracular bird or as a crow which brought to Apollo the message that his beloved Koronis, daughter of king Phlegyas, was getting married.

References

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  1. ^ Apollo wearing a laurel or myrtle wreath, a white peplos and a red himation and sandals, seating on a lion-pawed diphros; he holds a kithara in his left hand and pours a libation with his right hand. Facing him, a black bird identified as a pigeon, a jackdaw, a crow (which may allude to his love affair with Coronis) or a raven (a mantic bird). Tondo of an Attic white-ground kylix attributed to the Pistoxenos Painter (or the Berlin Painter, or Onesimos). Diam. 18 cm (7 in.)
  2. ^ Beazley Archive, Vase 5522

Bibliography

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  • Kolonia, R.,2006, The archaeological museum of Delphi, Athens
  • Amandry, P., Chamoux, P., 1991, Guide de Delphes: Le musée, pp. 231–233
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  Media related to Apollo black bird AM Delphi 8140 at Wikimedia Commons