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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
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
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
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)