Greek
An Attic black-figure amphora of Type B, Archaic, circa 540 BC
Pottery
Height: 31 cm
The body of the amphora with a central panel depicting a pair or boxers with their hands bound, in combat, flanked on either side by a standing onlooker, with a...
The body of the amphora with a central panel depicting a pair or boxers with their hands bound, in combat, flanked on either side by a standing onlooker, with a band of tongues above. The scene is repeated on the reverse, with rays above the foot and details in added purple.
Provenance
Christie's, London, 5 October 2000, lot 198Literature
Athletic competition in pursuit of honour and glory was an important part of life in ancient Greece, and combat sports were amongst the most prestigious events. Victory in the games was a source of great honour and the popularity of scenes of boxing in Attic vase painting bear out the importance of such activities to the Athenians. For further on boxing in ancient Greece, see M.B. Poliakoff, Combat Sports in the Ancient World, Competition, Violence and Culture, Yale, 1987, pp. 68-88.This example shows that they bound their wrists and hands with thongs; the draped onlookers are likely their trainers. A similar scene can be found on another type B amphora attributed to the Swing Painter in Rome, Museo Gregoriano Etrusco Vaticano: G38 (J.D. Beazley, Attic Black-Figure Vase-Painters, Oxford, 1956, p. 306.46.