Euphronios Krater
(Sarpedon) krater

The very instant former Met Museum director Thomas Hoving first laid eyes on the
magnificent Greek vase, he knew he was looking at a treasure that would rock
the art world to its very foundations.

“Most [art] is kind of routine,” Hoving says, in a recent feature for Artnet magazine.
“Decent, but not unique samplers of whatever culture.  Footnotes.”  But…

“A tiny handful are real masterworks… these are the ones that will last forever.  They
are works that’ll change your life when you see them for the first time and will addict
you for the rest of your life.”

Thomas Hoving was fully aware that the vase the world would come to know as the
Euphronios krater was just such a piece.  He also had a sneaking suspicion it had
been stolen…

Most art devotees are unaware that the Euphronios krater is actually the genius of
two masters: potter Euxitheos and painter Euphronios.  Pottery was so common in
Ancient Greece (the Euphronios krater dates back to 515 BC) that potters rarely
signed their work.  The presence of both signatures indicates that even the artists
knew this krater was perhaps their finest moment.

Out of the 27 vases Euphronios painted in his lifetime, only the Euphronios krater
remains.

Hoving believes that the Euphronios krater may be the greatest masterpiece on
display in any of New York City’s museums.  And that may be true – for now.
Hoving’s initial suspicions proved correct: the Euphronios krater was looted
from an Etruscan tomb near Rome.  In 2006, Metropolitan Museum of Art
officials signed an agreement returning ownership to Italy.

Unfortunately for New York City, her finest masterpiece will eventually return to Italy.
But you don’t need to hop on a plane to gaze in wonder at the Euphronios krater.
With a little help from Museum Replicas, you can enjoy a stunning replica – virtually
indistinguishable from the vase that stunned Mr. Hoving in 1972 – in your home or
office.

And unlike Mr. Hoving, you won’t have any doubts as to your vase’s legality.  Like all
artwork available from Museum Replicas, the Euphronios krater is safely in the public
domain.  Your replica will be 100% legal and above-board.  Of course, you can
choose whether to reveal the secret, or to let your friends wonder…

The Euphronios krater is just one of dozens of Greek vases we faithfully reproduce
at Museum Replicas.  Every single piece is a replica of an actual historic vessel
from a museum or other collection.

The original Euphronios krater was made for mixing strong wine and water – nearly
12 gallons worth.  Your replica will be expertly crafted to the dimensions you choose. 

As always, we use the methods and materials used by the original artists whenever
possible.  In this case, we’ll draw on traditions of pottery and painting that are over
2,500 years old.  The result?  Museum quality workmanship you’ll be proud of and
that your friends will admire.

Al Greek vases are custom made by a master potter and known painter in
Athens Greece.

It takes between 4 and 6 weeks to finish your vase.

The Euphronios Calyx-Krater: Symbol of Beautiful Sacrifice.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/74952/the_euphronios_
calyxkrater_symbol_of.html?cat=38

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphronios_krater
http://smarthistory.org/greek-vase-painting.html
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/fune/hd_fune.htm