Euphronios Krater
- Terra-cotta, red-figure painting
- Circa 517 B.C.E
- Artist - Euphronios, Greek circa 535 - 470 BCE
- Current Location: Archaeological Museum of Cerveteri, Italy
- Ownership disputed by: Italy, items repatriated from Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Euphronios is a celebrated Greek potter and artist who flourished circa 520 – 470 BCE. He was an innovative artist who was active in the Red-Figure style of Greek Pottery. He was known for depicting both mythological as well we everyday life scenes in his pottery. The Euphronios Krater depicts scenes from the Trojan War. It is also the only known complete surviving vase of Euphronios.
It is estimated that the Krater was looted by grave robbers in 1971 near Cerveteri, Italy. After exchanging hands through various Italian dealers, it ended up in the hands of American art dealer Robert Hecht. Hecht sold it to The Metropolitan Museum of Art for $1 Million in 1972, who purchased it even though the provenance of the piece could not be verified. Hecht has long been suspected in illegal antiquities trade, and although some of his suppliers have been found guilty, Hecht was never convicted of any crimes.
The Italian government began asking the Met almost immediately regarding the legality of the artifact. Euphronios pieces are extremely rare, as it is estimated that only 27 have been discovered, so to the Italians it seemed to pop-up out of nowhere. After almost 30 years, in 2006 The Met finally relented and agreed to return the Krater to Italy. It was shipped back to Rome in 2008, where it went on temporary display along with other recovered artifacts.
The Euphronios Krater is now displayed permanently at the Archaeological Museum of Cerveteri, Italy.
It is estimated that the Krater was looted by grave robbers in 1971 near Cerveteri, Italy. After exchanging hands through various Italian dealers, it ended up in the hands of American art dealer Robert Hecht. Hecht sold it to The Metropolitan Museum of Art for $1 Million in 1972, who purchased it even though the provenance of the piece could not be verified. Hecht has long been suspected in illegal antiquities trade, and although some of his suppliers have been found guilty, Hecht was never convicted of any crimes.
The Italian government began asking the Met almost immediately regarding the legality of the artifact. Euphronios pieces are extremely rare, as it is estimated that only 27 have been discovered, so to the Italians it seemed to pop-up out of nowhere. After almost 30 years, in 2006 The Met finally relented and agreed to return the Krater to Italy. It was shipped back to Rome in 2008, where it went on temporary display along with other recovered artifacts.
The Euphronios Krater is now displayed permanently at the Archaeological Museum of Cerveteri, Italy.