Ancient Art & Numismatics
An Attic Black-figure Lidded Amphora Attributed to the British Museum Nikosthenes Painter, Theseus Slaying the Minotaur
Two-handled jar (amphora)
Greek, Archaic Period, about 540 B.C.
the BMN (British Museum Nikosthenes) Painter
Height: 39.2 cm (15 7/16 in.); diameter: 22.5 cm (8 7/8 in.)
Ceramic, Black Figure
Side A: Theseus killing the Minotaur.
Theseus holds the Minotaur by the horn with his left hand and drives his sword into his rib cage with the right. The Minotaur sinks on his right knee, holding a stone in his upraised left hand. Behind Theseus stands a youth holding a spear. Behind the Minotaur stand a girl and a youth.
Side B: The Dioskouroi riding into Olympus.
They ride to left, each holding a spear. An eagle flies to left behind them. Poseidon holding his trident stands in front of the horses. Behind the horses come an old man holding a stick (Tyndareos?) and a boy carrying a wreath.
Lid: pomegranate knob and patterns.
From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
An Attic Black-figure Lidded Amphora Attributed to the British Museum Nikosthenes Painter, Theseus Slaying the Minotaur
Two-handled jar (amphora)
Greek, Archaic Period, about 540 B.C.
the BMN (British Museum Nikosthenes) Painter
Height: 39.2 cm (15 7/16 in.); diameter: 22.5 cm (8 7/8 in.)
Ceramic, Black Figure
Side A: Theseus killing the Minotaur.
Theseus holds the Minotaur by the horn with his left hand and drives his sword into his rib cage with the right. The Minotaur sinks on his right knee, holding a stone in his upraised left hand. Behind Theseus stands a youth holding a spear. Behind the Minotaur stand a girl and a youth.
Side B: The Dioskouroi riding into Olympus.
They ride to left, each holding a spear. An eagle flies to left behind them. Poseidon holding his trident stands in front of the horses. Behind the horses come an old man holding a stick (Tyndareos?) and a boy carrying a wreath.
Lid: pomegranate knob and patterns.
From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston