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View: Side A
Two-handled jar (amphora) depicting Hephaistos polishing the shield of Achilles
Greek
Early Classical Period
about 470 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure
Dimensions
Height: 34.2 cm (13 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number13.188
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 082.
DescriptionSide A: Hephaistos polishing the shield of Achilles in the presence of Thetis. In the field, a pair of greaves, a helmet, tongs, hammer and saw. Meaningless inscription.
Side B: Nike walking to right, her face to left, holding oinochöe and patera. The figures on a meander base.
Palmettes under the handles.
[Label text]:
Hephaistos and Thetis, the mother of Achilles are depicted on this amphora. As his role as the god of the forge, Hephaistos made armor for the Trojan War hero Achilles. On the wall can be seen some of the warrior's accouterments, as well as the tools of the blacksmith.
Side B: Nike walking to right, her face to left, holding oinochöe and patera. The figures on a meander base.
Palmettes under the handles.
[Label text]:
Hephaistos and Thetis, the mother of Achilles are depicted on this amphora. As his role as the god of the forge, Hephaistos made armor for the Trojan War hero Achilles. On the wall can be seen some of the warrior's accouterments, as well as the tools of the blacksmith.
ProvenanceDate unknown: from a grave at Suessula and formerly in the Spinelli collection near Cancello (according to L. D. Caskey and J. D. Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, vol. 2, pp. 36-37, no. 82); by 1912: with E. P. Warren; purchased by MFA from E. P. Warren, January 2, 1913, for $18,948.70 (this figure is the total price for MFA 13.186-13.245)