Lot Essay
At the center is a young aulete standing upon a bema, wearing a sleeveless chiton, the standard dress of musicians. Both arms are raised, holding the double pipes, which are secured to his lips by a phorbeia, or leather strap. To either side stands a bearded judge, wearing a mantle and leaning on a staff. Vines fill the field, and a column frames the scene on either side. For the subject, see H.A. Shapiro, “Mousikoi Agones: Music and Poetry at the Panathenaia,” in J. Neils, ed., Goddess and Polis, The Panathenaic Festival in Ancient Athens.