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Miniature wine jug (chous) depicting two boys boxing

Greek
Classical Period
about 425 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens

Medium/Technique Ceramic, Red Figure technique
Dimensions Overall: 8 x 6.8 cm (3 1/8 x 2 11/16 in.)
Credit Line Catharine Page Perkins Fund
Accession Number95.53
ClassificationsVessels

DescriptionTwo nude youths engaged in a boxing match. Both youths wear wreaths on their heads. The scene is framed by two short columns/turnposts.

The turnposts indicate that the scene is set in the palaistra. The wreaths they were indicate that they might be taking part in a festival contest.

Small choes or wine jugs were given to children at the yearly festival of the Anthesteria at Athens for their first sampling of wine; as the child grew older, so too did the size of the chous increase
ProvenanceBy 1892: A. van Branteghem Collection (Hotel Drouot auction of the van Branteghem collection, Paris, May 30-31, and June 1, lot 140, said to be from Athens); by date unknown: with Edward Perry Warren; 1895: purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren for $ 29,857.37 (this figure is the total price for MFA 95.9-95.174)