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Two-handled jar (Nolan amphora) with a singer playing a lyre (kithara)
Greek
Late Archaic or Early Classical period
about 480 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure technique
Dimensions
Height: 29.9 cm (11 3/4 in.); diameter: 18.7 cm (7 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
John Michael Rodocanachi Fund
Accession Number26.61
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 019.
DescriptionThis amphora is decorated on both sides. The two scenes appear to be clearly related, which is not always the case with Greek pottery. One side shows a kitharode (a singer who accompanies himself on the kithara, a large concert lyre), and the other side shows a person who appears to be listening.
On the front, a youth is throwing his head back and with his mouth open, is singing and playing the kithara. He wears a fillet and a long, fancy Ionic tunic (chiton) embroidered with crosses, a short black-bordered mantle fastened on his right shoulder, and leather shoes. He holds the instrument against his left shoulder and with his right hand holds the plectrum ready for striking the strings. The plectrum is decorated with a red tassel, and is fastened to the arm of the kithara by a long cord. One detail is noteworthy: the convexity of the large bosses on its arms is indicated by shading in thinned paint, such as is often found in Brygan renderings of still-life. In the field, the vertical Greek inscription to the left of the figure, HO [P]AIS KALOS.
On the reverse of the amphora a youth, wreathed, wrapped in a long cloak (himation), and wearing shoes, stands in a relaxed pose, and leans on a knobbly stick, his bowed head resting on his hand. He likely represents the audience; passive in attitude and facial expression. In the field, the vertical Greek inscription to the left of the figure, HO [P]AIS KALOS.
On the front, a youth is throwing his head back and with his mouth open, is singing and playing the kithara. He wears a fillet and a long, fancy Ionic tunic (chiton) embroidered with crosses, a short black-bordered mantle fastened on his right shoulder, and leather shoes. He holds the instrument against his left shoulder and with his right hand holds the plectrum ready for striking the strings. The plectrum is decorated with a red tassel, and is fastened to the arm of the kithara by a long cord. One detail is noteworthy: the convexity of the large bosses on its arms is indicated by shading in thinned paint, such as is often found in Brygan renderings of still-life. In the field, the vertical Greek inscription to the left of the figure, HO [P]AIS KALOS.
On the reverse of the amphora a youth, wreathed, wrapped in a long cloak (himation), and wearing shoes, stands in a relaxed pose, and leans on a knobbly stick, his bowed head resting on his hand. He likely represents the audience; passive in attitude and facial expression. In the field, the vertical Greek inscription to the left of the figure, HO [P]AIS KALOS.
InscriptionsOn both sides: "the boy [is] pretty" (HO PAIS KALOS)
On the front:
ΗΟ[Π]ΑΙS ΚΑLΟS
On the reverse:
ΗΟΠΑΙS ΚΑ[L]ΟS
On the front:
ΗΟ[Π]ΑΙS ΚΑLΟS
On the reverse:
ΗΟΠΑΙS ΚΑ[L]ΟS
ProvenanceSaid to be from Gela. 1926, sold by J. Hirsch (probably Jacob Hirsch; dealer, b. 1874 - d. 1955) to the MFA for $900. (Accession Date: March 4, 1926)