GREX LUPORUM: HELLENIC QUIVERS

HELLENIC QUIVERS BCE

For the very first time, the following collection of Hellenic quivers is the result of an extensive research of Archaic and Classical pottery from the 6th century BCE to the neoclassical period.

Over 2000 vases, craters and other decorative or functional objects have been closely observed from books, texts, and internet and the result of this research appears in this study. The chosen articles are the best and most graphic examples of Hellenic quivers and I would like to emphasise that the attention is to the design and not necessarily to the correct scale of the drawn objects!

There are many examples that give us many clues about the construction and the materials used for these quivers, but we must not exclude the artistic license of each potter and the temptation of artists of all ages to leave their own mark on their work.

Generally speaking the materials could have been, wood, leather, linen, metal, oil, wax and others and the decorations can either have been painted or engraved.

The main purpose of this study - apart from creating a collection of important heritage in Hellenic Archery is, as always with my studies, to encourage other individuals to make and decorate their own quivers with one of the following designs.

I have personally made (Photo 1 & 2 ) one based on a design found at two different places. The first is from the Warrior Departing Crater (Spartan light archer/hoplite from the Mora of Geronthron) by Altamura Painter in the British Museum 475-425 BCE and the second from Amazonomachy Volute Crater by the Painter of the Wooly Satyrs in the New York Museum 475-450 BCE. (Photo 3)

My quiver is made with linen, canvas, leather and a central piece of hardwood has been used as a spine. All the materials are bound together using natural glue and I used linen thread for hand sewing the leather. The paint I used is a natural red pigment that can be found in abundance on the island of Kithira. The quiver can be waterproofed with wax or oil. This is not just an experimental archeological piece of work but I will use it as my main quiver. A second is on the way. How about you? Let us know!!!

This is an ongoing project, so keep looking.

Key to the illustrations: After "From: " , follows the official name of the work, then the name of the creator, where it is being kept with registration details (if any) and finally the date that the artist produced the works. The "ref" number is for my own archives.

In some drawings the word "Obscure" is written and that means the design is hidden and this part has been drawn by me after considering the rest of the design. Also there are quivers with "design variations" indicated where the designs appear to be very similar.

If you wish to look for the complete work please contact me and I am more that happy to send you a digital file of the work!