DESCRIPTION

No C 16
Oldenburg
Black-figure amphora

Zeus is seated on a chair. He is represented with head and legs in profile to the right, the body almost facing. Seated, he is almost as tall as the surrounding standing figures. The right forearm is extended almost horizontally forward, the hand grasping a thunderbolt. The left forearm is extended obliquely upward. The god has a pointed beard and wears his long hair loose, with a narrow headband. His dress consists of a chiton and a himation, which covers the right shoulder and the left arm.

Athena is represented emerging from the head of Zeus in a sprinting position, head and legs in profile to the right, the body facing. Her dress presumably consists of a peplos and an epiblematon. She carries a shield on the left arm, the right forearm is extended horizontally forward.

There are two deities on each side of the picture. On the right a goddess, the right forearm extended obliquely upward, with palm turned outward and extended fingers, the left forearm extended horizontally forward, the hand with extended fingers seen on the back, and Ares, characterised as such by helmet, shield and greaves. On the left side a goddess, the right forearm extended obliquely upward, with palm turned outward and extended fingers placed on Zeus' back, and a god, identified as Poseidon by the trident.

The chair has thin plain curved legs, a back with a swan's head finial, and is provided with a cushion on the seat.

An owl perches between the legs of the chair.

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