Wall fragment. Glaze mottled on outside. Max. dim. 0.063. A. Ashmead, Hesperia 35, 1966, pl. 10:o (mispoised); A. Bélis, BCH 110, 1986, p. 213, fig. 12 (mispoised).

Trumpeter (most of face, a little of right shoulder, start of instrument pointed downward slightly), to left. He wears a low-crested helmet with the cheekpieces presumably turned up, and he carries a round shield. Preliminary sketch. Incision for rim of shield (compass-drawn). Relief contour.

Whether to call the trumpeter a Greek warrior or an Amazon is difficult. In Amazons in Greek Art, Oxford 1957, p. 156, Bothmer opted for an Amazon, presumably because of the beardlessness and the absence of cheekpieces on the helmet (they could be turned up). He made the further point that the almost horizontal position of the instrument indicates that it is being blown, not merely tested as it would be if it pointed sharply downward. Ashmead (Hesperia 35, 1966, p. 28 and note 58) rejects the identification as an Amazon because the figure has no earring and no long lock of hair. But these are not sure criteria because there is an Amazon trumpeter on Oxford 1927.4065 by Oltos who has short hair and no earring (ARV2 62, 77; Paralip. 327, 77; Addenda 165). Also, the Amazon trumpeter on Louvre G 166/Malibu, the J. Paul Getty Museum 77.AE 11 by the Kleophrades Painter (ARV2 186, 51; Addenda 188) has short hair, at least to judge by what protrudes from the edge of her leather cap. Thus, while the figure on 257 may indeed be an Amazon, it is perhaps best to leave the identification open.

Ashmead (Hesperia 35, 1966, p. 26) wants 257 to be part of 256, Corbett (p. 25, note 25a) to keep it separate. It is preferable to keep the two apart: the thickness of 257 is greater, and the glaze in the background is mottled. Also, given what remains of the subjects on each side of 256, it is difficult to see how a trumpeter fits in.

For trumpets and playing them, see most recently, D. Paquette, L'instrument de musique dans la céramique de la grèce antique, Paris 1984, pp. 74--83.

The Kleophrades Painter (ARV1 124, 39; ARV2 186, 46; Paralip. 340, 46; Addenda 187).