Red-Figure Miniature Chous with Two Boys at Play
A charming miniature red-figure chous — a small wine jug — based on an Attic prototype in the British Museum, dated ca. 420–400 BC.
The scene shows two young boys at play. At the centre stands a three-legged stool with a piece of fruit on top. The boy on the left leans on the stool with one hand, his other hand resting on his hip, while looking toward the second boy, who bends forward and reaches out with both arms, holding a small cake or toy-like object in one hand. Both boys wear fillets and the characteristic cross-belts often shown on children in Athenian vase-painting. A toy cart with its shaft upright appears on the left, while another piece of fruit lies beside the stool.
The original decoration was finely executed, with added white for the flesh of one boy and gilding for the fillets, bracelets, fruit, and ivy wreath around the neck of the vase. These delicate details underline the playful and festive character of the scene.
Dimensions H: 8,7 cm, Max L: 6,2 cm