The François Vase is one of the most notable pieces in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence’s collection. Dated to circa 570-560 B.C., this Attic black-figure krater, the oldest of its kind known today, was discovered in an Etruscan necropolis in Chiusi in 1844 and sent to Florence for restoration. The pottery bears two inscriptions: “Ergotimos made me” and “Kleitias painted me.” Both are fairly well-known artists in antiquity, with several of their works exhibited at museums around the world. The vase depicts a total of 270 figures, in a…
