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Oil flask (lekythos) with the birth of Dionysos
Greek, Early Classical Period, about 460 B.C.
The Alkimachos Painter
Place of Manufacture: Athens, Attica, Greece
Height: 42.8 cm (16 7/8 in.); diameter: 14.5 cm (5 11/16 in.)
Ceramic, Red Figure technique
Inscriptions: Meaningless inscriptions: ESNOSN KOSN
ΕSΝΟSΝ ΚΟSΝClassification: Vessels
Catalogue: Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 148.On view in the: Classical Greek GalleryBirth of Dionysos from the thigh of Zeus. Zeus seated; head of infant Dionysos visible; Hermes facing Zeus. Over head of Zeus meaningless inscription (ESNOSN KOSN). Surface somewhat corroded.
[Label text]:
The scene on this oil jar depicts the unusual birth of the wine god Dionysos through Zeus' thigh. The small head of the infant can be seen protruding from Zeus' leg. Hermes holds Zeus' staff and waits to carry Dionysos off to be raised by nymphs. Museum of Fine Arts, BostonCatharine Page Perkins Fund, 1895
Accession number: 95.39Provenance/Ownership History: By August 1893: with E. P. Warren (according to Warren's records: August 1893. Said to have been found at Eretria); purchased by MFA from E. P. Warren, 1895, for $ 29,857.37 (this figure is the total price for MFA 95.9-95.174)
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This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the MFA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
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; diameter: 14.5 cm (5 11/16 in.)<br />Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 148.<br />Museum of Fine Arts, Boston<br /><br />Catharine Page Perkins Fund<br />95.39<br />'),'/zoom.asp?file=SC225596.jpg&width=600&height=420&captiontitle='+escape('Oil flask (lekythos) with the birth of Dionysos')+'&title='+escape('Oil flask (lekythos) with the birth of Dionysos')) "Click to enlarge")
; diameter: 14.5 cm (5 11/16 in.)<br />Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 148.<br />Museum of Fine Arts, Boston<br /><br />Catharine Page Perkins Fund<br />95.39<br />'),'/zoom.asp?file=SC40974.jpg&width=600&height=420&captiontitle='+escape('Oil flask (lekythos) with the birth of Dionysos')+'&title='+escape('Oil flask (lekythos) with the birth of Dionysos')) "Click for larger image")
