On view
Ancient Mediterranean Art
Red-figure Nolan Amphora: Nike pouring a libation of wine and young male running,
ca. 480–475 BCE
by a follower of the Berlin Painter
Greek, Attic
2018-132
Nolan amphorae were made in Athens but are named for the Italian town of Nola, where many have been found. They are distinguished by their slender shape and unframed figures, which seem to emerge from the glossy black background. On this intact example, Nike, the winged goddess of victory, pours a libation of wine. Nike became a popular subject after the Athenians and their allies defeated the invading Persians in 480/479 B.C. The youth on the reverse hurries toward the goddess, but she flies away from him. For a century this vase was exhibited at The Breakers, the Vanderbilt mansion in Newport, Rhode Island.
More About This Object
Information
Title
Red-figure Nolan Amphora: Nike pouring a libation of wine and young male running
Dates
ca. 480–475 BCE
Maker
by a follower of the Berlin Painter
Medium
Ceramic
Dimensions
h. 24.8 cm (9 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class of 1921, Fund
Object Number
2018-132
Culture
Period
Type
Materials
Cornelius Vanderbilt, II, The Breakers, Newport, RI (d. 1899); Gladys Moore Vanderbilt, Countess Széchényi, The Breakers, Newport, RI (d. 1968); Sylvia Széchényi, Countess Szapáry, The Breakers, Newport, RI (d. 1998); Paul and Gladys Szapáry, New York; purchased by the Museum in 2018.
