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Pitcher (oinochoe) with Greek warrior attacking Persian archer
Greek
Classical Period
about 450 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure
Dimensions
19.3 x 12 cm (7 5/8 x 4 3/4 in.)
Height with handle: 24 cm (9 7/16 in.)
Height with handle: 24 cm (9 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number13.196
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 041.
DescriptionIn this dynamic duel between a nude Greek warrior and a Persian archer wearing the traditional patterned jacket and trousers of the foreign empire, the Persian hopelessly holds up his sword (his short range weapon) as a defense against the spear about to be thrust into his chest. The nude Greek hoplite, who is armed with a spear and large shield and wearing a crested Attic helmet, attacks, while the foreign warrior has already shot an arrow at his opponent; it can be seen to the left of the Greek.
ProvenanceSaid to be from Gela, Italy. 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]. (Accession Date: January 2, 1913)
NOTE: Total price paid for MFA accession nos. 13.186 - 13.245. Shipped to Warren in 1911 as "Jug--Warrior and Persian" (source: private archive). Many thanks to Erin Thompson for facilitating access to this material.
NOTE: Total price paid for MFA accession nos. 13.186 - 13.245. Shipped to Warren in 1911 as "Jug--Warrior and Persian" (source: private archive). Many thanks to Erin Thompson for facilitating access to this material.