Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora
ca. 366/365 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. with lid 34 in. (86.3 cm); H. without lid 27 3/4 in. (70.5 cm); diameter of mouth 9 in. (22.9 cm); diameter of foot 5 1/2 in. (14 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1956
Accession Number
56.171.6a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This magnificent terracotta Panathenaic prize amph, crafted by the Kittos Group 366/365 BCE, stands as a vivid testament to Classical Athens' vibrant athletic and religious life. Produced in Attic workshops, these large vases were awarded as prizes to victors in the Panathenaic—a grand festival honoring Athena, the city's patron goddess. Filled with olive oil from the Academy grove, they symbolized prestige and divine favor, often inscribed with the event and year. Adorning its surfaces are dynamic scenes of Athena, flanked by athletes, shields, and running men, evoking the intensity of compe...