No C 21 Basel, Antikenmuseum
black-figure amphora
Group E, + 550 v.C.
(Schefold, SBII16, fig. 4)

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

Athena is represented emerging from the head of Zeus in a sprinting position, head and legs in profile to the right, the body almost facing. Her dress presumably consists of a peplos and the aigis. The aigis is bordered by a fringe of serpents. She wears a helmet, carries a shield, seen from the back, on the left arm and holds a spear in the right hand.

There are three deities on each side of the picture. On the right stand a goddess, head in profile to the right, the body facing, the arms raised, the hands, with extended fingers, seen on the palm, and Poseidon, identified as such by the trident; between them a goddess, presumably Hera, is seated on a throne, head in profile to the left, the body facing, the right forearm extended obliquely upward, with clenched hand put on the chest, the left forearm extended almost horizontally forward, the hand holding a staff. On the left stand a goddess, the right arm extended obliquely downward, the left forearm extended obliquely upward with extended fingers seen on the palm, Hephaistos, characterised as such by the axe, and a goddess, the right arm hanging down, the hand holding a wreath, the left forearm extended obliquely upward, the hand with extended fingers, the palm turned outward.

The throne of Zeus has rectangular legs, ending in lion's paws, and a straight back with a swan's head finial and is provided with low massif armrests; there is a stretcher-rail connecting the legs. The other throne has rectangular legs, decorated with geometric figures, and has no back.

A decoration of two lions, standing symmetrically opposite to each other, is seen between the legs of Zeus' throne.

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