About this artwork
Toward the end of the 5th century BCE, Athenian potters and painters created a large number of miniature oinochoai (sing. oinochoe), or pitchers, decorated with children at play or imitating adults. It is thought that they were given to the youngest members of the family during the Anthesteria, a three-day celebration of the new vintage of wine and the arrival of spring. These little vessels are called choes (sing. chous), which means libations, after the name of the second day of the festival. Children took part in the festival but did not imbibe wine. On this example, a naked boy crawls toward a young bird on a perch. A chous hangs on the wall above him.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
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Culture
- Ancient Greek
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Title
- Chous (Toy Pitcher)
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Place
- Athens (Object made in:)
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Date
- 430 BCE–410 BCE
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Medium
- Terracotta, red-figure
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Dimensions
- 9.2 × 6.8 × 6.8 cm (3 11/16 × 2 3/4 × 2 3/4 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Martin A. Ryerson through The Antiquarian Society
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Reference Number
- 1907.14
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/87658/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
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