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Large basin with wrestlers on its rim
Greek, South Italian
Late Archaic Period
early-5th century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Bronze
Dimensions
Height: 28 cm (11 in.); diameter: 72 cm (28 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1900
Accession Number03.999
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Greek, Etruscan, & Roman Bronzes (MFA), no. 429; Sculpture in Stone and Bronze (MFA), p. 124 (additional published references).
DescriptionThe basin has a plain, slightly flaring foot with bead and ovolo molding on the rim. There are two swinging handles with palmettes below, and two handles formed by pairs of wrestlers, standing on volutes, floral stems and leaves leading to palmettes. The wrestling youths have late archaic faces and hair arranged like that of kouroi in the late sixth century. Similar vessels were found in tombs in Picene district of Italy and were probably imported from workshops in Laconia or in southern Italy.
Condition: Numerous fragments of the bowl are missing. The rim is broken in several places and has been strengthened in modern times by a narrow strip of metal on the interior, fastened by rivets. The body is also reinforced by sheets of metal in the interior. All four handles have been refastened in modern times. Crusty green patina with hard surfaces and in various shades.
Condition: Numerous fragments of the bowl are missing. The rim is broken in several places and has been strengthened in modern times by a narrow strip of metal on the interior, fastened by rivets. The body is also reinforced by sheets of metal in the interior. All four handles have been refastened in modern times. Crusty green patina with hard surfaces and in various shades.
ProvenanceBy 1903: with Edward Perry Warren (according to Warren's records: found in the Picene District. It was brought from Rome to Lewes, where it was purchased.); purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren, March 1903