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Drinking cup (kylix) depicting pentathletes
Greek
Late Archaic Period
about 510–500 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure
Dimensions
Overall: 7.6 x 29.8 cm (3 x 11 3/4 in.)
Other (Diameter of vessel): 23.3 cm (9 3/16 in.)
Other (Diameter of vessel): 23.3 cm (9 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number98.876
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 072.
DescriptionInterior: Youth with a jumping weight (halter) in each hand, running to right. He looks back over his shoulder indicating that he is probably not about to jump. Two javelins appear vertically behind him. Inscribed "Athenodotos is handsome" (ATHENODOTOS KALOS)
Exterior side A: A youth runs to the left, looking back. The youth behind him carries a pick used to loosen the dirt in the jumping pit. At the far left another athlete picks up a javelin, with a thong in his other hand.
Exterior side B: Two youths holding javelins run to the right. A third athlete runs, holding a pair jumping weights in his left hand and gesturing with his right. Inscribed "The boy is handsome" (HO PAIS KALOS)
Exterior side A: A youth runs to the left, looking back. The youth behind him carries a pick used to loosen the dirt in the jumping pit. At the far left another athlete picks up a javelin, with a thong in his other hand.
Exterior side B: Two youths holding javelins run to the right. A third athlete runs, holding a pair jumping weights in his left hand and gesturing with his right. Inscribed "The boy is handsome" (HO PAIS KALOS)
InscriptionsInterior: "Athenodotos is handsome" (on interior) (ATHENODOTOS KALOS)
Exterior Side B: "The boy is handsome" (on exterior) (HO PAIS KALOS)
Exterior Side B: "The boy is handsome" (on exterior) (HO PAIS KALOS)
Provenance19th century, said to have been found in a tomb on the Via Campagna, Santa Maria di Capua Vetere (ancient Capua) [see note 1]. Possibly Paul Hartwig (b. 1859 – d. 1919), Rome [see note 2]. Francesco Martinetti (dealer; b. 1833 – d. 1895), Rome. About 1895, acquired by Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 – d. 1928), London [see note 3]; 1898, sold by Edward Perry Warren to the MFA for $69,618.13 [see note 4]. (Accession Date: September 20, 1898)
NOTES: [1] According to Martinetti, via Edward Perry Warren. [2] According to Caskey-Beazley II, p. 23, the vase was formerly in Hartwig's possession, but it is not clear when. [3] According to Warren, it was obtained immediately after Martinetti’s death. [4] The total price for MFA accession nos. 98.641-98.940.
NOTES: [1] According to Martinetti, via Edward Perry Warren. [2] According to Caskey-Beazley II, p. 23, the vase was formerly in Hartwig's possession, but it is not clear when. [3] According to Warren, it was obtained immediately after Martinetti’s death. [4] The total price for MFA accession nos. 98.641-98.940.