Regina Vasorum

 ( Ancient Greek Pottery ) 

The Regina Vasorum or Queen of Vases is a 4th-century BC hydria from Cumae depicting Eleusinian divinities with Gilding flesh in polychrome relief. It is held in the collections of the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, it is valued as an iconography source for ancient Greek religion.

The Regina Vasorum is a "spectacular" and unusually large example of technical experimentation among Greek potters after the red-figure style had run its course.Harvey Alan Shapiro, Carlos A. Picón, Gerry D. Scott, "Introduction to South Italian Vases," in Greek Vases (San Antonio Museum of Art, 1995), p. 252 online. The figures were made separately, painted, and gilded, then attached to the vase with slip, possibly by sprigging.

• South Italian ancient Greek pottery B2AC911

• Elena Ananitch, Lucanian Vases («L'Erma» di Bretschneider, 2005), p. 7 online.
• Kevin Clinton, Greek Sanctuaries, p. 92 online.
• Beth Cohen, The Colors of Clay: Special Techniques in Athenian Vases (J. Paul Getty Museum, 2006), p. 115.
• Erika Simon, Festivals of Attica: An Archaeological Commentary (University of Wisconsin Press, 1983), passim.

• Color photo of the Regina Vasorum at the website of the Hermitage Museum