--- title: François Vase author: Mark Cartwright source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Francois_Vase/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # François Vase _Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_ The François Vase is a large Attic volute-krater dating to c. 570-565 BCE, and it is perhaps the example *par excellence* of the [black-figure pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/Black_Figure_Pottery/) style. An astonishing range of scenes and characters from [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/) cover the vase and make it an important reference for these stories, some of which no longer exist in written form. The vase was discovered in c. 1845 CE in [Chiusi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chiusi/), [Etruria](https://www.worldhistory.org/Etruscan_Civilization/) (central [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/)) by the Italian, Alessandro François. François passionately searched for the missing pieces of the vase but unfortunately without success. Nevertheless, it is the most complete surviving example of this form of vase. The volute-krater was a form most probably inspired by earlier [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) vases and was used for wine. An early example of the black-figure style, the vase is 66 cm (26 inches) high and signed in two places: “Ergotimos made me; Kleitias painted me”, two celebrated crafsmen in Attic [pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/pottery/) and frequent collaborators. The vase is covered with 270 human and animal figures along with several objects such as altars, columns, fountains, and furniture, all painted in black, purple, and white on the pale orange, clay background. Unusually, the figures and objects are painstakingly labelled with 121 inscriptions. Six friezes surround the vase with mythological scenes: two on the neck, three on the main body, and one around the foot. The top neck band illustrates the Calydonian boar hunt with Peleus, [Meleager](https://www.worldhistory.org/Meleager/), Melanion, the [Dioskouroi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Castor_and_Pollux/) and [Atalanta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Atalanta/) and on the reverse, the celebrations (*geranos*) of the Athenians and [Theseus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theseus/) after his defeat of the [Minotaur](https://www.worldhistory.org/Minotaur/) at [Knossos](https://www.worldhistory.org/knossos/). The lower neck band shows the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) between the Lapiths and the Centaurs at the wedding of the Lapith King Peirithoos. Theseus is present, fighting on the side of the Lapiths, the only such instance in Attic pottery. The funeral games of [Achilles](https://www.worldhistory.org/achilles/)' great friend Patroklos, with several chariots racing, is on the reverse side. [ ![Ajax and Achilles, Francois Vase](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/997.jpg?v=1774406888) Ajax and Achilles, Francois Vase Kealor (used with permission) (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/997/ajax-and-achilles-francois-vase/ "Ajax and Achilles, Francois Vase")The top band of the vase body shows the gods at the wedding of Peleus and [Thetis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thetis/). The middle band shows a scene from the [Trojan War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trojan_War/): Achilles' pursuit of Troilos, who is on horseback, with his father Priam looking on from the walls of [Troy](https://www.worldhistory.org/troy/). On the reverse side of this band is the earliest and most complete representation of the Return of [Hephaistos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hephaistos/) myth, where the Olympian gods await the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of metallurgy's return to Olympus to release [Hera](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hera/) from her imprisonment in the magic throne that he had created (in order to win [Aphrodite](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aphrodite/) as his bride). The lower band shows lions and various mythical animals such as griffins and a pair of heraldic sphinxes. The foot of the vase illustrates a comic battle between goat-riding Pygmies wielding curved sticks and aggressive looking cranes. In addition, on the sides of each handle there is a painted Gorgon, [Artemis](https://www.worldhistory.org/artemis/) with an animal in each of her hands (in a Mistress of the Animals pose) and [Ajax](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ajax/) carrying Achilles. Incredibly, the vase was smashed into 638 pieces in an outrageous protest by a museum guard in 1900 CE. However, meticulous restoration has ensured this magnificent and important piece continues to enchant modern visitors to the Archaeological Museum of Florence. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Boardman, J. *Athenian Black Figure Vases.* Thames & Hudson, 1985.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500201382/) - Carabatea, M. *Greek Mythology.* Pergamos, Peania, 2007 - [Carpenter, T.H. *Art and Myth in Ancient Greece.* Thames & Hudson, 1991.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500202362/) - [Clark, A. *Understanding Greek Vases.* J. Paul Getty Museum, 2002.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0892365994/) - Lane, A. *Greek Pottery.* Faber & Faber, London, 1956 ## About the Author Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. ## Timeline - **c. 625 BCE**: [Black-figure pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/Black_Figure_Pottery/) created in [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/). - **600 BCE - 480 BCE**: Attic [black-figure pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/Black_Figure_Pottery/) dominates the [greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) ceramic market. - **c. 570 BCE - c. 560 BCE**: The black-figure [Francois Vase](https://www.worldhistory.org/Francois_Vase/) is produced in Attica by Ergotimos (potter) and Kleitias (painter). ## Cite This Work ### APA Cartwright, M. (2012, December 25). François Vase. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Francois\_Vase/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Francois_Vase/) ### Chicago Cartwright, Mark. "François Vase." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 25, 2012. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Francois\_Vase/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Francois_Vase/). ### MLA Cartwright, Mark. "François Vase." *World History Encyclopedia*, 25 Dec 2012, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Francois\_Vase/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Francois_Vase/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 25 December 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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