Apulian picture vases for a funeral ceremony (Berlin Antique Collection)

Apulian picture vases, particularly those within the Berlin Antique Collection, represent a significant body of evidence regarding funerary rituals in ancient Apulia (modern-day Puglia, Italy). These large, elaborately decorated vases were often commissioned specifically for use in funeral ceremonies and to commemorate the deceased.

The vases themselves are typically of the red-figure style, a technique where the figures are reserved in the red clay of the vase while the background is painted black. This allowed for a greater level of detail and expressiveness compared to the earlier black-figure style. Common shapes include volute-kraters (large mixing bowls), amphorae (storage jars), and loutrophoroi (tall, slender vases used to carry water for the bridal bath before marriage, but also adapted for funerary use for unmarried individuals).

The iconography found on these vases provides valuable insights into Apulian beliefs about death and the afterlife. Scenes often depict the deceased in their prime, surrounded by family and friends, suggesting a continued connection between the living and the dead. Other frequent motifs include:

• Prothesis (laying out of the corpse): This scene depicts the body of the deceased laid out for mourning and preparation for burial.

• Ekphora (funeral procession): This shows the transportation of the deceased to the burial site, often accompanied by mourners and musicians.

• Scenes of offerings at the tomb: Vases might depict individuals making offerings to the deceased at their tomb, suggesting a belief in the continued need to appease and honor the dead.

• Mythological scenes with funerary connotations: Representations of Hades, Persephone, and other figures from the underworld are common, reflecting beliefs about the journey of the soul after death.

The Berlin Antique Collection houses a notable selection of these Apulian vases, providing crucial material for scholars studying Apulian art, culture, and funerary practices. The collection allows for comparative analysis of vase painting styles, decorative motifs, and the evolving iconography associated with death and the afterlife in Apulia. Studies of these vases contribute significantly to our understanding of ancient Apulian society and its beliefs concerning mortality.