The fifteenth Berlin fascicule of the Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum focuses on 51 Athenian vases and fragments from one of the most important collections of classical art. It presents 34 pelikai (30 red-figure and 4 black-glazed), 9 red-figure loutrophoroi and 8 red-figure lebetes gamikoi. The main sections of the volume are an introduction, abbreviations, catalogue, indexes and images. The catalogue is divided into six units: Attic red-figure pelikai, Attic black-glazed pelikai, a summary list of the documented pelikai, Attic red-figure loutrophoroi, Attic red-figure lebetes gamikoi and an inventory of lost and on permanent loan vases. The illustrations include 22 drawings in the text, 11 plates of handle cross-sections, 4 plates of historic black-and-white photographs of lost vases and a few still in the collection but in a deteriorated state (Beilagen), and finally the main body of 80 colour plates towards the end of the fascicule. The 345 colour photographs of details and full views are high-definition and of the highest quality, which makes this volume invaluable to any researcher.

A short introduction mainly gives due thanks. Next, abbreviations provide a customary list of books and journals, and thoughtfully include the Beazley Archive Pottery Database (BAPD) reference for which every modern-day scholar is sincerely grateful. Since this is S.-D.'s second contribution to the CVA project,Footnote ¹ the material is organised in her usual style by shape and then chronologically, including meticulous details of each vase containing provenance, dimensions, volume, weight, date and a useful list of publications. Commentary on condition, shape, decoration, illustration and decorative technique follows, together with helpful facts on the attributed painter and iconography.

The catalogue arrangement conforms to the well-established format of recent CVAs. S.-D. starts each shape section with a short overview of the form and its iconography, and of published material. The first group of vases is the 34 pelikai, liquid containers, divided into red-figure and black-glazed. The former are documented on 44 coloured plates with an occasional drawing or a black-and-white photograph in the text, usually of inscriptions or some other interesting detail. A large number of vases are well-known pieces depicting mythological figures such as Heracles, Odysseus and Amazons, including a curious case of Heracles attacking a winged dwarf-daemon. There are also a few everyday life scenes, and the one by the Syriskos Painter showing two female figures with a slave is beautifully photographed; the details of the headdresses are clearly visible allowing for a remarkably close study. The latter group of black-glazed pots is illustrated on Plate 45 with five coloured photographs (including one detail). The next section is a summary list of previously examined pelikai, and the corresponding Plates 46 and 47 contain 32 colour full-view photographs, excluding the two fragmentary pots. This is a highly beneficial feature as it gives researchers a complete overview of the pots at a glance. The loutrophoroi section focuses on nine red-figure examples – four fully restored and five fragmented. These water carriers used during nuptial and funeral ceremonies are exquisitely documented on Plates 48–70. The first loutrophoros is an exceptional example of a funerary vessel, while the rest depict wedding scenes. Similarly, as with the pelikai, the majority of these vases are well-known examples, yet so exceptionally photographed, thus making it an invaluable resource for any scholar. The next segment examines eight red-figure lebetes gamikoi, bowl-like vessels with a stand generally used in weddings. There are three fine-looking whole pieces and the other five are in a fragmented state; the corresponding photographs are on Plates 71–80. The final section is lost and on long-term loan pieces and it lists sixteen vases – twelve pelikai, two loutrophoroi, one lebes gamikos and a lid from another lebes gamikos, still in collection. The information provided in the section is understandably limited and seven pots do not have illustrations.

S.-D. provides nine indexes and they are most valuable. Included are the extensive lists of inventory numbers and illustrations, provenances, collection histories, measurements, technical observations, iconography, inscriptions, painters and workshops. S.-D. has compiled another exemplary volume, and with her experience, attention to detail and model arrangement, this fascicule is an excellent addition to the series.