Terracotta bobbin
One side, Nike (the personification of victory) offering fillet (band) to youth
Other side, Eros and youth
This object belongs to a group of roughly half a dozen pieces, all of the same construction and exceptionally fine quality but of undetermined function. The two most frequently advanced interpretations are that they served as bobbins or yo-yos. The shape lends itself to either purpose. The fragility of the material makes clear that they must have been dedications. Like the adjacent pyxis, this bobbin demonstrates the Penthesilea Painter's wonderful gift for color and composition.
Other side, Eros and youth
This object belongs to a group of roughly half a dozen pieces, all of the same construction and exceptionally fine quality but of undetermined function. The two most frequently advanced interpretations are that they served as bobbins or yo-yos. The shape lends itself to either purpose. The fragility of the material makes clear that they must have been dedications. Like the adjacent pyxis, this bobbin demonstrates the Penthesilea Painter's wonderful gift for color and composition.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta bobbin
- Artist: Attributed to the Penthesilea Painter
- Period: Classical
- Date: ca. 460–450 BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; white-ground
- Dimensions: diameter of side A 4 13/16 in. (12.3 cm); diameter of side B 5 1/16 in. (12.8 cm)
- Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1928
- Object Number: 28.167
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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Penthesilea Painter
ca. 465–460 BCE
Penthesilea Painter
ca. 470 BCE
Penthesilea Painter
ca. 470 BCE
Penthesilea Painter
ca. 470 BCE
On loan to The Met
Penthesilea Painter
5th century BCE
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