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Water jar (hydria)
Possibly by: Cassandra-Parrish Workshop
Greek, South Italian
Late Classical Period
about 360–350 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Italy, Campania
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure
Dimensions
Overall: 29.8cm (11 3/4in.)
Other (H): 19cm (7 1/2in.)
Weight: 3 lb. (1.36 kg)
Other (H): 19cm (7 1/2in.)
Weight: 3 lb. (1.36 kg)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1900
Accession Number03.831
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Vase-Painting in Italy (MFA), no. 080.
DescriptionScene from Attic Middle Comedy or a local play in the Attic tradition. Two comic actors face each other in a high-steppig dance. Both wear expressive, bearded masks, trousers, padded tunics, and mock phalli. The tunics and phalli are tinted with dilute glaze. The stage is not represented, and there is no clue to the theme of the play.
The panel has elaborate frames; slanted and addorsed palmettes above, an ivy vine on the left side, a laurel wreath on the right, and a wave-pattern below.
VASE PAINTING in ITALY, #80 (03.831)
Hydria
Perhaps from the Cassandra-Parrish Workshop
about 360-350 B.C.
Phylax scene. Two comic actors face each other in a high-stepping dance. Both wear expressive, bearded masks, trousers, padded tunics, and mock phalli. The tunics and phalli are tinted with dilute glaze. The stage is not represented, and there is no clue to the theme of the play.
The panel has elaborate frames: slanted and addorsed palmetes above, an ivy vine on the left side, a laurel wreath on the right, and a wave-pattern below. The palmettes are of a type not found after mid-century; a relatively early date is also indicated by the careful draftsmanship, the absence of filling ornament, and the geometric composition.
Trendall classes the masks as type B; compare the mask worn by the actor on the Apulian oinochoe, cat. no. 20.
The panel has elaborate frames; slanted and addorsed palmettes above, an ivy vine on the left side, a laurel wreath on the right, and a wave-pattern below.
VASE PAINTING in ITALY, #80 (03.831)
Hydria
Perhaps from the Cassandra-Parrish Workshop
about 360-350 B.C.
Phylax scene. Two comic actors face each other in a high-stepping dance. Both wear expressive, bearded masks, trousers, padded tunics, and mock phalli. The tunics and phalli are tinted with dilute glaze. The stage is not represented, and there is no clue to the theme of the play.
The panel has elaborate frames: slanted and addorsed palmetes above, an ivy vine on the left side, a laurel wreath on the right, and a wave-pattern below. The palmettes are of a type not found after mid-century; a relatively early date is also indicated by the careful draftsmanship, the absence of filling ornament, and the geometric composition.
Trendall classes the masks as type B; compare the mask worn by the actor on the Apulian oinochoe, cat. no. 20.
ProvenanceBy date unknown: From Suessula and later the Spinelli Collection (according to Vase-Painting in Italy, p. 167); by 1903: with Edward Perry Warren (according to Warren's records: The following objects [MFA 03.805-03.833, 03.836-03.837, 03.906] were found in one cemetery in Campania.); purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren, March 24, 1903