Greek Apulian Xenon Stemless Kylix Attributed to the Red Swan Group

Nearly cylindrical body with a slightly sloping shoulder with five palmettes and eight dots in between; main image showing a Dionysian procession with two advancing nude satyrs facing a young male playing a double pipe, each of the satyrs leaning on a walking stick and having a long garment draped over their shoulders and wearing a fillet and a large wreath on their heads. 649 grams, 29.2 cm



Münzen und Medaillen A.G., H. Cahn, Basel, 24 April 1989. Private collection, Bern, Switzerland. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.N125q44 by Oxford Authentication. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12641-236375.

The Athena Painter is known as the painter who designed several Greek black-figure pottery works using the 5th-century BC white-ground technique. He specialised in lekythoi and refers to Athena as his main subject in his works. Together with the Theseus Painter, they continued the tradition of painting large lekythoi. His black figures are of high quality, and in addition to lekythoi, he decorated other potteries such as oenochoai. Some archaeologists say that he may have been the same person as the Bowdoin Painter of red-figure pottery, although they may have just worked in the same workshop.

Formed as an amphora with cylindrical neck, biconical jasper body and small gold granulated bead; to the shoulders, two dolphins flanking the suspension loop, forming the handles of the amphora; each eye represented by a small circular cell to accept a gemstone; row of granulation down to the rear and around the perimeter of the eyes; loop added in antiquity for suspension. 1.17 grams, 25 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

With large eyes and applied pupils, accentuated nose and open mouth with protruding tongue, hair indicated with regularly disposed lines; repaired, western Greek workmanship; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 142 grams total, 15.5 cm including stand



Ex Mr M.Q.F, Horgen, Switzerland, 1971. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.

A Gorgoneion was a protective symbol in ancient Greek art that depicts the head of the Gorgon, a mythical creature with snakes for hair and a terrifying gaze that could turn people to stone. The Gorgoneion was believed to have the power to ward off evil and protect the person who wore it or displayed it. The image of the Gorgoneion was often used as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evil or bad luck. It was often depicted on shields, armour, or even as an architectural feature on buildings. The symbol was also sometimes used in jewellery, such as amulets or pendants, and was believed to bring good luck and protection to the wearer. The most famous depiction of the Gorgoneion is probably the one on the aegis of the goddess Athena.