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Oinochoe
Greek, South Italian
Late Classical or Early Hellenistic Period
340–320 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Italy, Paestum
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure
Dimensions
20.7 cm (8 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William de Forest Thomson
Accession Number19.295
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Vase-Painting in Italy (MFA), no. 100.
DescriptionA nude Dionysos youth with garlands and slippers dancing, white and red dots above right hand, thyrsus and garment in left hand; on each side a low base or altar; above, a short band of egg pattern, large palmettes under handle, on each side a reserved rosette above, then a vertical scroll ornament.
Clay pale red with fine bits of mica. Ovoid body, curving out to trefoil mouth; low foot, strap handle. White and brown-red used sparingly.
ITALIAN VASE PAINTING in ITALY, #100 (19.295)
Oinochoe (shape 3)
Attributed to Python (or a close associate)
about 340 B.C.
A nude youth, possibly Dionysos, is capering between two altars, the one at the right with offerings on it. He holds a wreath and a "skewer of fruit" in his right hand and a thyrsos with pendant fillet in his left. A bordered cloak hangs from his left arm, and he wears red shoes, a beaded bandoleer, a beaded fillet, and two beaded thigh-chains. The offerings, thyrsos, beads, fillets, wreath, and skewer are all in added white with a distinct orange tint.
The upper frame is a band of dotted egg-pattern; the groundline circling the lower body is a simple reserved line. On the sides are tall framing palmettes, and there is a large palmette below the handle. Flanking the handle are two dotted tympana or phialai.
Clay pale red with fine bits of mica. Ovoid body, curving out to trefoil mouth; low foot, strap handle. White and brown-red used sparingly.
ITALIAN VASE PAINTING in ITALY, #100 (19.295)
Oinochoe (shape 3)
Attributed to Python (or a close associate)
about 340 B.C.
A nude youth, possibly Dionysos, is capering between two altars, the one at the right with offerings on it. He holds a wreath and a "skewer of fruit" in his right hand and a thyrsos with pendant fillet in his left. A bordered cloak hangs from his left arm, and he wears red shoes, a beaded bandoleer, a beaded fillet, and two beaded thigh-chains. The offerings, thyrsos, beads, fillets, wreath, and skewer are all in added white with a distinct orange tint.
The upper frame is a band of dotted egg-pattern; the groundline circling the lower body is a simple reserved line. On the sides are tall framing palmettes, and there is a large palmette below the handle. Flanking the handle are two dotted tympana or phialai.
ProvenanceFrom Paestum (according to Vase-Painting in Italy, p. 179); by date unknown: Mr. and Mrs. William de Forest Thomson Collection; gift of Mr. and Mrs. William de Forest Thomson to MFA, 1919