Detail of a Neck Amphora by the Pan Painter in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, June 2010

Two-handled jar (amphora)

about 470 B.C.

the Pan Painter


Dimensions: Height: 25.4 cm (10 in.)

Accession Number: 10.184

Medium or Technique: Ceramic, Red Figure


Side A: A mature man pursues a young boy by grabbing the boy's right arm as he attemps to flee. The couple is very likely represents the popular scene of the abduction of Ganymede by Zeus. Here the gentleman may be identified as Zeus by the attribute of the scepter he holds. Both wear wreaths added in purple. The boy carries a hoop and a hoop-stick, common toys in Athens and often attributes of Ganymede.

Side B: A wreathed youth advances to the right while looking over his shoulder and carrying a joint of meat in his left hand, which may be a gift from an admiring older man.

An elaborate band of palmettes serves as the ground line for both scenes.

Provenance: Between 1879-1886: found at Suessula by D. Marcello Spinelli; by 1910: with E. P. Warren (according to Warren's records: From Suessula.); purchased by MFA from E. P. Warren, June 2, 1910, for $4,000.00 (this figure is the total price for MFA 10.159-10.230)

Credit Line: Julia Bradford Huntington James Fund and Museum purchase with funds donated by contribution

Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/two-handled-jar-amphora-153617