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Oil flask (lekythos) with poet reciting with a lyre
Greek
Early Classical Period
about 480–470 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure
Dimensions
Height: 39.2 cm (15 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number13.199
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 099.
DescriptionPoet reciting to the accompaniment of the lyre. He stands in profile to left, leaning back and looking up, holding lyre with left hand, plectrum in raised right. He is bearded and wears Ionic dress (chiton), cloak (himation) and headdress (sakkos). A dotted fillet hangs from lyre. Scholars have considered the possibility that this figure is intended to represent the poet Anakreon of Lesbos, because of his eastern dress and lyre (barbiton). The soundbox, made from a tortoise shell, can be seen under his arm.
ProvenanceSaid to be from Gela, Italy [see note 1]. 1911, sold by Tommaso and Ignazio Virzi (dealers), Palermo, to Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 - d. 1928), London and Rome; 1913, sold by E. P. Warren to the MFA for $18,948.70 [see note 2]. (Accession Date: January 2, 1913)
NOTES: According to Warren, found in the same grave as MFA accession no. 13.198. [2] Total price paid for MFA accession nos. 13.186 - 13.245. Shipped to Warren as "Lekythos -- Poet" (source: private archive). Many thanks to Erin Thompson for facilitating access to this material.
NOTES: According to Warren, found in the same grave as MFA accession no. 13.198. [2] Total price paid for MFA accession nos. 13.186 - 13.245. Shipped to Warren as "Lekythos -- Poet" (source: private archive). Many thanks to Erin Thompson for facilitating access to this material.