VASES.
Decadent Period.—After the 4th century many potter-artists appear to have deserted Athens and migrated to Greek colonies in the Crimea and South Italy (Capua, Tarentum, Pastum, etc.). Their Attic refinement disap pears, but the red-figure technique continues in this Greco-Italian ware. The aim is at vulgar display rather than art merit, probably cater ing to the tastes of their new patrons. Crowding of motifs (palmettes, wreaths, etc.), extended use of white in the flesh of females and the ever-present god Eros show decadence. Yellow appears for hair detail and for features and as shading; purple appears. The backs of the vases are either devoid of ornament or the work is done in careless, perfunctory manner. Some authorities suggest theatrical influence in the extravagance of posture and rich embroid ering of the garments,. etc. And stage scenes (tragedy and comedy) are depicted, even the stage itself is sometimes presented. But scenes
of local daily occurrence are the most frequent. Some of the more ambitious large vases were, doubtless, designed for funeral use. They are decorated with pictures of action in the Under World — groups containing Pluto and Perse phone, Cerberus, the Furies, etc.; some show tombs or shrines and mourners making offer ings to the dead. We find localities of proven ance can be identified often by distinctive characteristics. Campania appears to have had a "fondness for polychromy" but the exe cution is careless; the artists in Apulia created some gigantic vases with very ornate handles for funerals and theatricals with ornament of great magnificence. At Paestum were the artists Assteas and Python with their elabor ately detailed groups depicting mythological scenes, etc., in true Attic style. By the end of the 3d century Grecian tendency gives way to Roman styles.