Eastern Mediterranean Flattened Terracotta Vessel with Bichrome Decoration

With raised rim and stepped foot, two strap handles to the rim each flanked by two domed studs; rim with reserved wave pattern band, studs with starburst motif; painted central scene with outer foliate bands and reserved wave pattern framing the tondo displaying Eros in flight with wings spread, holding a red cloth over an inverted shield; some repainting. 2.76 kg, 41 cm wide

Fine condition.

French collection, 1990s-early 2000s. Formerly in Patrick Declerck Auction, Douai, France, 2014, lot 72. From an important Paris gallery, France. Ex private Parisian collection. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.N122j42 from Oxford Authentication. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11616-196567.

Deeply arched bow with a central barrel-shaped extension, integral pin and rectangular footplate. 46.8 grams, 60 mm



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

The distinctive form of this fibula seems to be an Italic variant of characteristic Geometric period examples from Thessaly that have been discovered in large numbers, for example in the sanctuary of Zeus Thaulios near Pharos. It belongs to the category of Greek catch plate brooches, although the rectangular footplate is substantially reduced than the Greek prototypes, and the two grooves on the bow are narrower than the continental Greek ones.

The piriform body tapering towards the splayed foot, D-section strap handle and calyx-shaped mouth with flat rim; the body painted with a scene of two duelling hoplites, dressed in full armour comprising shields, greaves and helmets, dressed in short chitons and assisted by their arbiters holding staffs and dressed in long himation; the shoulder with palmette decoration and facing figures of a man and a woman with long garments around the shoulder; restored. 381 grams, 23 cm high



Old Swiss collection. Acquired in Europe before 2011. Private collection, Europe. 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 search certificate number no.11815-206482.

To the Greeks, lekythoi were containers for dispensing oil. The characteristics shape of this vessel was that of a long body, narrow neck, one handle and a cup-shaped mouth. The shape was fit for the function of the lekythos: the narrow neck prevented the unnecessary loss of oil by enabling small amounts to be distributed evenly and the mouth to collect the excess. The represented scene is probably taken from the Iliad and could represent the combat between Ajax and Hector, assisted by arbiters.