A Caeretan Hydra

This hydria, or water jar, was made in the town of Caere, in Etruria, central Italy. The main artist, however, was probably not Etruscan but Greek. About twenty vases have been attributed to this painter, who is now known as the "Eagle Painter". He produced the figured work on the Otago vase but a companion, called now the "Busiris Painter", was responsible for the subsidiary ornaments. Together they worked in a small workshop to which in all only 33 vases have been attributed. The Otago vase dates to around 540 - 530 B.C.

The upper half of the body has a figured frieze. On the front a youth holds two prancing horses by the bridles. The horses are placed heraldically on either side of him, while he himself appears to be running to the spectator's left. Red has been added for the horses' tails, manes and hooves, while white unusually is used for the youth's skin (this was normally the colour of female flesh in black-figure vase painting). Incision has been used for the inner details on all three figures.

On the back of the vase two eagles with outstretched wings seize a hare each with their beaks. This action takes place on either side of the central seven-leaved palmette which extends from the base of the vertical handle.

The vase is restored from fragments and missing pieces from the neck, mouth and shoulder have been replaced. Consequently there has been a great deal of repainting and touching up (as in the youth's face and the horses' heads).