Among the few pottery exhibits of the Delphi Archaeological Museum stands out a shallow bowl (kylix)with a depiction of the god Apollo.
Description
Among the relatively few pottery exhibits in the Museum of Delphi is a white-ground cylix and a depiction of Apollo; it was found in a grave underneath the Delphi Archaeological Museum. It is a work of an attic workshop. Inside the cylix is depicted Apollo with an elaborate hairdo and a laurel wreath on his head, sitting on a camchair, the legs of which end up in lion's paws. The god wears a white chiton, a red himation (cloak) and sandals. A seven-stringed lyre is attached to his left hand with a red stripe, whereas with his right hand he pours a libation out of a shallow bowl decorated with patterns in relief. Opposite the god is rendered a black bird, for which several explanations have been offered: it is identified either as a plain oracular bird or as a crow which brought to Apollo the message that his beloved Koronis, daughter of king Phlegyas, was getting married. This work dates to the decade 480–470 B.C. Scholars have associated it to the Berlin Painter.The depicted scene evokes the verse from the second hymn to Apollo found inscribed on the southern wall of the Treasury of the Athenians: “Sing for the gold-haired Pythios who aims far with his bow and arrow and plays nicely the lyre”.