Cypriot Terracotta Bowl

With an arching strap handle and a wide spout; either side of the body painted with a crouching panther, one playing with a ball and the other depicted facing; repaired. 149 grams, 12 cm



Acquired from Gallery Gryphos, Munich, 1992. European private collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12001-211879.

Painted askoi in different forms were produced and been in use in Athens since the middle and second quarter of the 5th century B.C., but they were also made in southern Italy. The askoi painted with a pair of animal figures were realised in Magna Graecia after the Attic continental production of similar models, with the representation of griffins, sphinxes and laconic hounds. The function of the askos as a vessel was clearly linked to wine, and therefore it is not anomalous to see it decorated with panther motifs, an animal connected with Dionysus, the god of wine and drinking.

On a set-off ring foot with long cylindrical neck and funnel-shaped rim; the body with net-pattern decoration in umber, highlighted with white dots at the junctions, framed by brown bands above and below; handle, spout and the outside of the ring foot also in brown; from Apulian Greek colonies of southern Italy, surface chip to the body, usage wear. 156 grams, 14.3 cm



From a Swiss collection, since at least 1978. Ex Swiss collection, Mr. P.B. Basel-Landschaft, acquired on the Swiss art market.

Of gently tapering profile with pinched trefoil rim to the mouth and strap handle to the rear, painted band to the neck and ring-and-dot motifs above, chevron herringbone motif below; mouth chipped. 272 grams, 18 cm



Acquired Christie's, London, 25 April 2001, no.477 (part). From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages.