Ancient Art

Vanderbilt’s collection of ancient art features excellent examples from Egypt, Etruria, and Greece that are invaluable for instructional purposes. Decorated ceramic wares and an exemplary terra cotta antefix from Etruria bring to life the craftsmanship and architectural motifs of an ancient culture. A red-figure kylix conveys the idealism and balanced proportions favored in classical Greece, in contrast to the distinctive style seen in the Egyptian relief of a human head also found in the collection. These objects, and others, provide a historical base for Vanderbilt’s collection of western art while offering students direct encounters with ancient modes of expression.

Unknown Artist, Egyptian
Head in Profile , Saitic Period (663 – 525 B.C.)
Limestone Relief
8 1/4″ x 9″
Vanderbilt Art Association Acquisition Fund Purchase
1967.001 

The Aberdeen Painter, Attica, Greek
Attic Red-figure Kylix, mid-5th century, B.C.
Polychromed terracotta
3 1/8″ x 11 1/8″
Vanderbilt Art Association Acquisition Fund Purchase
1975.059

The Haverford Painter, Apulia (Present day Italy),
Red-figure bell-krater , ca. 330–
320 B.C.
Terracotta
11 5/8″ x 12″
Thomas B. Brumbauch Fund Purchase, Professor of Fine Arts, Emeritus
1985.015

Anonymous, Greco-Roman from Hellenistic East,
Head of a Young Girl or a Goddess , 1 B.C–1 A.D.
Marble
11″ x 8 1/4″ x 9 1/2″
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Wilson
1969.014

Anonymous, Italian (Etruria)
Head of a Maenad, from an Antefix , 6th century
Polychromed terracotta
7″ tall
Vanderbilt Art Association Acquisition Fund
1980.039 014