Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora

Attributed to the Kleophrades Painter
ca. 500 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 153
Obverse, Athena
Reverse, pankration (athletic contest) and judge

After the mid-sixth century B.C., artists' signatures do not appear on Panathenaic prize amphorae. It seems, however, that certain artists used their own "trademark" shield devices. The Kleophrades Painter favored Pegasos, the winged horse. The reverse of this vase depicts the pankration, which combined wrestling, boxing, and kicking. The inclusion of the judge may highlight the particular danger of the event to the competitors.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora
  • Artist: Attributed to the Kleophrades Painter
  • Period: Archaic
  • Date: ca. 500 BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
  • Dimensions: H: 25 in. (63.5 cm)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1916
  • Object Number: 16.71
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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