Hello everyone, today I take you back to the Joslyn Art Museum yet again. This time, I want to share some things from mostly Ancient Greece and some other countries. A hallaway full of cases of some old artifacts which were really quite pleasant to view.
Going to see these really gave me more knowledge about the Greek way of life. It also added to my desire to visit this place even more. In a sense, it was like a mini trip to the place. Ok, not a trip at all, but a small sample of what could be seen there.
Everything I share was located in the Joslyn Building, the only original structure of the museum. So let me show you this one hallaway located on its second floor.
Head of Herakles, Hellenistic Greek or Roman, Circa 1st-3rd Century BCE
Hercules, as he was known to Romans, was credited for the founding of the Olympic Games. According to Greek mythology, he achieved immortality by completing 12 super human feats called labors. Though probably a fragment of a full statue, it is still pretty neat to see a younger version of him. This one is a made of marble and was not enclosed in glass, so you can touch it if you choose to.
Relief Fragment with Silenus, Roman, Circa 3rd Century CE
Silenus was the God of wine-making and drunkeness. It's not surprising then to know he was often drunk in the stories told of him. He was depicted as being an older man, a bit overweight and overly hairy. Don't we all know someone or have seen someone who meets this description?
Sarcophagus Fragment, Roman, Circa 3rd or 4th Century CE
This sculpture depicts 3 Magi (wiseman) approaching the Virgin Mary and Baby Christ. Chances are it was part of a Christian burial chest. It's pretty cool seeing this early history Christian piece.
Funerary Portrait of Shalmat, Daughter of Abda, Roman Syria, Palmyra Circa 2nd Century CE
Palmyrene people were buried outside the city walls in burial structures called tower tombs. These tower tombs were stone slabs that showed portraits and inscriptions identifying the deceased. This funery relief depicts a woman named Shalmat in a draped garment. She holds a spindle and a distaff (tools for spinning fibers). Have you given thought on how your resting place will appear?
Back, Left to Right
Figurine, Greek, Circa 500 BCE
Alabastron (perfume container) Greek, Rhodes, mid-6th century BCE
Front, Left to Right
Figurine of an Enthroned Goddess, Greek, 500-475 BCE
Figurine of a Goddess, Cyprus or Boeotia, 6th Century BCE
In Greek religious practice, one was expected to offer something to the Gods. Terrocotta statuettes such as these were gifts to the Gods. They believed that by doing, they would get health, well-being, or prosperity in return. They would also deposit things like these inside the graves of the deceased or have in the home as objects of private worship.
Left to Right
Red Figure Skyphos (handled wine cup) with Youth Holding a Strigil, Greek, Circa 375 BCE
Red-Figure Bell Krater(mixing vessel), Greek Circa 430-420 BCE
Red-Figure Pelike (storage vessel), Greek Circa 370-360 BCE
Black-Figured Lekythos (oil jar) with Erymanthian Boar, Greek Circa 480 BCE
Strigal (Oil scraper), Greek Circa 5th-4th century BCE
Many associate the Olympics, of course, to the Greeks. I'm here to tell those who may not know that the word and use of gym are credited to the Greeks as well. The term gymnasium comes from gynasion, which literally means "school for naked exercise." The Greeks at this time competed in the nude and would often "oil up" beforehand. The lekythos (oil jar) would have contained the oil and the strigil (oil scraper) would have seen use afterward to get oil off.
How far have we come? I was a wrestler in my younger years and I knew the sport was credited to the Greeks. I competed in a tight singlet, which some found to be too skimpy. Now take off everything, oil up and wrestle. Is it now too skimpy? I could not be in competition with another man in the nude. Perhaps it would be different if I lived in Ancient Greece. Different times different ways of doing things. I just wouldn't want to be rolling around with a similiar looking Silenus individual, haha. The next time you go to the gym, you will know a little bit about its orgins, do wear clothes 😁
Black-Figure Hydria(water vessel), Greek circa 530 BCE
This water vessel depicts a mythological battle known as Amazonomachy. White-painted women warriors (Amazon) battle Greek soldiers. In the center, Herakles appears wearing a lion skin and holding a club. I really like the detail and the story this water vessel illustrates.
Left
Red-Figure Bell Krater (mixing vessel)
Greek- South Italy, 340-320 BCE
Right
Red-Figure Bell Krater (mixing vessel)
Greek- South Italy, 365-355 BCE
About the 8th century BCE, Greek colonists settled in South Italy and Sicily. They brought the know-how to create these red figure ceramic pottery. These two crators show the mylogical figures Dionysus (God of Wine) and Eros (God of Love). Two combinations that will go well with the upcoming Valentine's Day ❤️
Black-Figure Ovoid Neck Amphora(jar), Greek
570 BCE
Ancient Greeks produced wine in great quantities and were successful exporting it across the Mediteranean. This amphora depicts a drinking party for elite males of the same social class. They are together with their female companions reclining on the couches. Participants at these parties would gather to drink, converse, recite poetry, enjoy music and discuss philosophy. Sounds like an elite club in todays standards. Quite a few of those activities are still done in a social environment with adult beverages 😃
Front, Left to Right
Head of a Figure, Cycladic 2700-2300 BCE
Bird's Nest Bowl, Minoan Crete, 2300-1700 BCE
Tripod Ornament, Mycenaean, 1200-1050 BCE
Seal Stone, Mycenaaen, 1450-1200 BCE
Back
Stirrup Jar, Mycenaean, 1150 BCE
Some of the items above are well over 4000 years old. Some of them were escavated from tombs or pilgrimage sites. There wasn't much more on these items. I do like the subject matter on Stirrup Jar. To me, it appears to be a spider after seeing four legs on each side of a would-be torso.
Left to Right
Attic Tankard, Greek 725-200 BCE
Cup, Greek 675-630 BCE
Corinthian Alabastron, Greek 600-575 BCE
Left to Right
Attic Black Gloss Stemless Cup, Greek 475-450 BCE
Attic Black Gloss Bowl, Greek 4th Century BCE
Attic Black Gloss Skypos (handled cup), Greek
475-450 BCE
Above two pictures were some other pottery and dishes that were a bit different. I like the black gloss dishes, they look very modern despite being very old. There were a few other dishes and pottery exhibits I regret that I won't be sharing.
This experience checking out mostly Greek artifacts was fun. Sure, it's nothing like being in Greece where you can see really large buildings, ruins or larger exhibits. Now, being a great distance away, it's cool that there is something here to see and learn from.
That's all I have for you this time. Next time, I will share some cool Egyptian artifacts. Take care, stay safe and have a great week ahead. Until next time!