Greek and Other Pottery Sherd Group

With trumpet-shaped foot, broad bowl with carinated profile, flared rim, two lateral D-shaped handles; horizontal painted bands; repaired. 249 grams, 21 cm wide



Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.

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

Fine condition, some surface rubbing on the black glaze, with metallic gloss, some calcareous deposits on underside of lip and vase, glaze slightly chipped in a few places, repaired.

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 have been 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.

Squat in profile with three stub legs, raised rib below the in-turned rim, loop handle. 255 grams, 14.4 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.