1960.313: Neck Amphora (storage jar): Warriors in Battle

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1960.313

Title

Neck Amphora (storage jar): Warriors in Battle

Classification

Vessels

Work Type

vessel

Date

510-500 BCE

Places

Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Attica

Period

Archaic period

Culture

Greek

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/290739

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Terracotta

Technique

Black-figure

Dimensions

actual: 42.4 cm (16 11/16 in.)

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number

Beazley Archive Database #306623

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of David M. Robinson

Accession Year

1960

Object Number

1960.313

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

Both sides A and B of this neck amphora depict nearly identical scenes of three warriors in battle. Each soldier has a shield, a spear, and a scabbard. On side A the shield of the rightmost warrior is visible and decorated with an animal protome in added white. We also see half of the middle warrior’s shield which is decorated in added white with a bucranium. The adornments and clothing of each of the warriors is slightly different but in all three added white and incised lines were used. The scene is bordered by an intricate palmette design that originates under each handle. Side B portrays the same scene except that the clothing on these warriors is slightly different from those on side A. On both sides the two rightmost warriors are fighting against the leftmost warrior. On Side A the rightmost warrior is holding a spear pointed towards the left and the central crouching warrior is facing left while holding his shield and spear left as well. The leftmost warrior is holding his spear to the right. All of the spears on side A are parallel to one another. On side B the central and rightmost warriors are in the exact same position except that the central warrior’s helmet-covered face is no longer visible. On this side the leftmost warrior assumes a more aggressive stance with his spear angled downward facing the crouched central warrior.

Exhibition History

• The David Moore Robinson Bequest of Classical Art and Antiquities: A Special Exhibition, Fogg Art Museum, 05/01/1961 - 09/20/1961
• HAA132e The Ideal of the Everyday in Greek Art (S427) Spring 2012, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/31/2012 - 05/12/2012

Verification Level