Vases Pyxis Attic Tripod Pyxis with Lid
Attic Tripod Pyxis with Lid

Attic Tripod Pyxis with Lid

Pyxis · about 540 B.C.
Three-legged container with lid, decorated with scenes of heroes, athletes and courting.

The knob at the top of the lid has been restored with a conical finial. The rim is offset and ornamented with a net pattern. The reserved underside is flanged. Decorating the upper surface is a series of athletes and clothed youths (either judges or trainers): youth in himation standing to right with staff; naked youth to right cradling discus; youth in himation standing to left, holding a staff; two youths boxing; youth jumping to left; youth to right with himation slung over left arm; two youths wrestling; youth to left with rod.

The bowl has a torus rim, supported by three legs, each with a torus base molding. Leg A: Herakles (in a short chiton) and the Lion flanked by two males clothed in himatia, both holding rings or fillet. Leg B: man courting naked long-haired youth (erastes and eromenos) between naked youths and clothed males (parts of the legs and feet of the figures missing). Leg C: Theseus (in short chiton) and the Minotaur flanked by a pair of youths clothed in himatia, each holding a ring or fillet.
Shape
Date
about 540 B.C.
Culture
Greek (Attic)
Museum
J. Paul Getty Museum
Accession Number
86.AE.142
Image Source
getty_cc0
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)