Terracotta neck-amphora (jar)

Greek, Chalcidian, black-figure, ca. 540-530 B.C

Attributed to the Polyphemos Group

The vase in the photo is from the Metropolitan museum, in the Greek section. The photo shows two lions grabbing and biting into a bull. The image portrays the battle between the two lions and the bull. The lions seem to be trying to bring the bull down to the ground, while the bull is trying to ram one of the lions with its horns.

When I first saw the vase, my eyes instantly went to the bite marks in the bull. The teeth of the lions are very long and are sharp. They were unproportionally big for the lion’s faces. Additionally, the lion’s manes are the same color as part of the bull’s skin. The manes are not as large as a real lion, but are extended to the usual position a lion’s mane would end. Furthermore, the lions on the vase have much bigger front paws than the back ones, which are skinny and small.

The vase most likely represents power and the lions convey a sense of strength and forcefulness. The user of the jar most likely wanted to send a signal that he or she too was tuff and expected respect from others.

My reaction to seeing the vase was awe. Although the vase was crafted more than 2,000 years ago, it is still in very good condition and the detailed artwork is amazing. The lions have a unique form, which I found very interesting and it was what drew me to this art piece.