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Did you know that the Sarpedon Krater is one of the finest examples of Ancient Greek vases? A krater was a large, two-handled vase used to mix wine and water, like an ancient punch bowl. The vase was painted around 515 BCE by Euphronios, one of the most celebrated Greek painters and potters at that time. The vase depicts the death of Sarpedon (a part of the Iliad) on one side, and scene of Athenian youth preparing for battle on the other side. The vase was on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1972-2008. When it was discovered that the vase was illegally excavated from a cemetery before being sold, the Metropolitan Museum of Art came to an agreement with the Italian government and repatriated the vase to Italy.
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Bonus Facts:
The Sarpedon Krater is also known as the Euphronios Krater. It is about 18 inches tall and about 21 inches in diameter. It can hold about 12 gallons.
Most likely the vase was looted from Etruscan tombs near Cerveteri in December 1971. The vase was sold to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Robert E. Hecht for $1.2 million. Robert Hecht purchased the vase from Giacomo Medici, who was later tried for antiquities smuggling.
As by agreement, the Sarpedon Krater was returned to Italy. It was unveiled in Rome on January 18, 2008.
The Sarpedon Krater is now on display at the Archaeological Museum of Cerveteri near Rome.
Resources:
https://www.metmuseum.org/press/news/2006/statement-by-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-on-its-agreement-with-italian-ministry-of-culture
https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1883142_1883129_1883079,00.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphronios_Krater
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krater
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Euphronios