Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)

On view

Ancient Mediterranean Art

Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B),

ca. 460–450 BCE

attributed to the Naples Painter
Greek, Attic
Classical Period, ca. 480–323 BCE
2002-40

Enclosed within the decorative border of this storage jar are two male figures. The older man, bearded and wrapped in a himation (heavy mantle worn over a longer robe), stands to the right and leans on his staff. He looks down at the seated youth on the left, who pulls a plektron, akin to the modern guitar pick, across the strings of a barbitos lyre. This particular type of stringed instrument, more similar to a bass than a guitar, produced low and resonant notes. The older man seems to be the youth’s teacher, observing his performance. Musical training for male citizens in Athens at this time was an integral component of paideia, their education, which was paired with gymnastike, or physical athletics.

Information

Title
Pelike (storage jar) depicting a man and seated musician playing the lyre (A); a youth and woman (B)
Dates

ca. 460–450 BCE

Maker
attributed to the Naples Painter
Medium
Red-figure ceramic
Dimensions
h. 26.7 cm, diam. 18.5 cm (10 1/2 x 7 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Robert F. Goheen, Class of 1940, Graduate Class 1946 & 1947, and Princeton University President 1957 - 1972
Object Number
2002-40
Place Made

Europe, Greece, Athens

Culture
Attic
Period
Classical, Red-figure
Type
ceramics, pelikai
Materials
ceramic
Subject
youth, musicians, running ornament, lyres, men, ovolos, himations, figures (representations), women

Sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, NY, Jan. 20, 1967, lot 208; sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, NY, Dec. 4, 1969, lot 209; Alex G. Malloy, NY, Catalogue I (1972) no. 54; given by Dr. Robert F. Goheen to the Musuem in 2002

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