LOT 0078

Boeotian Late Geometric Oinochoe

LATE 8TH CENTURY B.C.

13 1/2 in. (1.23 kg, 34 cm).

Ovoid body with tall neck and trefoil mouth, ribbed strap handle; body decorated with broad parallel bands and vertical zig-zags, with hatched lozenges along the shoulder.

Ex Prof. Kurt Alder, Riehen, November 1978, from his uncle Dr Werner Alder, Lugano; thence by descent.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13531-263113.

Cf. Boardman, J., Early Greek Vase Painting, 11th - 6th Centuries BC. A Handbook, London, 1998, figs. 114 and 119, for the shape and decoration with horizontal stripes; for a similar decorated oinochoe in the British Museum, accession no.1912.0522.1; see also, for an italic late geometric shape, BM 1977,1201.29.

Vessels of the Geometric period (900-700 BCE) are easily recognisable by their abstract decorative designs, which originate from woven textiles and baskets. While early period pottery typically had sparse geometric motifs on a black background, the amount of decoration increased progressively to the point that the objects from the late Geometric period are often entirely covered - in this example, even the strap handle is decorated.