The decor refers to the figure Atlas (Greek: bearer) and depicts wrestlers carrying the celestial firmament. Contrary to popular belief, Atlas does not carry the globe but the vault of heaven. The vase is composed of two parts (bottom and vase) using a technique called 'application colées à chaud' or bonding with heated glass.
Atlas was one of the children of the Titan Iapetus. Unlike his brothers Prometheus and Epimetheus, Atlas fought alongside the Titans who supported Kronos in the war against Zeus. Due to Kronos' advanced age, it was Atlas who led the Titans into battle. As a result, Atlas received a special punishment from Zeus and was sentenced to stand on the western edge of the earth (Gaia) and carry the vault of heaven (Uranus) on his shoulders, so that they could no longer maintain their original union.
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