Location: Parterre.
In the Park of Miramare, two large, finely decorated vases face each other at the centre of the parterre, which we know from documents were purchased by Maximilian of Habsburg in Berlin in 1864. Made of a zinc metal alloy by the H. Pohl & Comp. company, the two artifacts were originally fitted with a cover that is visible from period photos.
They feature sophisticated phytomorphic decorations, embellished with masks and geometric designs, and echo the model of the Greek crater, used in ancient times to mix wine with water.
It is worth noting the shape of the two side handles, each moulded to depict a deity from the Greek Pantheon, identifiable by the attributes of the pitcher and the patera with Hebe, an extremely pertinent subject, since she was the cupbearer of the gods. In the depiction of Hebe, one can discern the influence of Canova, who had not, however, resorted to butterfly wings, which here complement the depiction with graceful delicacy.
The pair of Miramare kraters belongs to a high-quality serial production, examples of which are found in Trieste in the residence of Baron Pasquale Revoltella, with whom Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg had several contacts. To emphasise the value of these vases, Baron Revoltella chose them as the background for a famous 1862 portrait of him by Tito Agujari.
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