Terracotta neck-amphora of Panathenaic shape (jar)
ca. 470 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. as restored 15 7/8 in. (40.3 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1920
Accession Number
20.245
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant terracotta neck-amphora, crafted around 470 BCE by the Pan Painter, exemplifies the refined artistry of Classical Athens. Its distinctive Panathenaic shape—typically reserved for prize vessels awarded at the Panathenaic Games—suggests it may have held olive oil or served a ceremonial function. Standing just under 16 inches tall, the vase reflects the high standards of Attic pottery production, where skilled artisans combined utility with sophisticated decoration. The Pan Painter, active in the early Classical period, was renowned for his dynamic red-figure technique, which allowe...