Terracotta bell-krater (mixing bowl). Culture: Greek, South Italian, Apulian, Gnathian. Dimensions: H. 10 7/8 in. (27.6 cm). Date: ca. 350-300 B.C..Altar and wreaths below a grapevineThe motifs depicted here are more than purely decorative. The pendants reflect a contemporary predilection for embellishing vases with necklaces. This tradition continued even into Roman painting--note the Black Bedroom from Boscotrecase. The grapevine here alludes to Dionysos, god of wine, while the altar may indicate his connection with the theater. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.