Greek, Attic / c. 550–540 BCE
Black-Figure Oinochoe (Wine Jug): Boxers
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Black-Figure Oinochoe (Wine Jug): Boxers as ceramic (Greek, Attic · c. 550–540 BCE).
An ancient boxing match (or pyx ) continued until one boxer could not (or would not) continue.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this ceramic as ceramic and credits Class of London B 524.
The museum's collection notes: Two stout young boxers, unbearded, face off on this small wine jug. Curiously, while one boxer has both hands wrapped for fighting (in leather straps known as himantes ), the other has left one hand bare, holding it up to fend off punches. The seated figure at left, with one hand raised, may be a judge. The standing figure at right, whose white hair and beard are now mostly gone, is likely a spectator.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtBlack-Figure Oinochoe (Wine Jug): BoxersOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.