LOT 0059

Greek Attic Black-Figure Lekythos with Combat Scene

CIRCA 520 B.C.

10 3/8 in. (481 grams, 26.5 cm).

The ovoid body decorated with a combat scene, band of tendrils and leaves to the shoulder and vertical bands to the slender neck, trumpet-shaped mouth, strap handle and discoid foot; the scene comprising three Hoplites, the first in tall-crested Corinthian helmet, cuirass and greaves, xiphos hanging on his right side, thrusting with his long spear over his ellipsoid shield towards the middle figure, running forwards but with his helmetted head turned towards his attacker, using his Boeotian shield to ward off the blow while manoeuvring his own spear which is blocked by the third figure advancing against him, with spear held underarm, with birds in flight above.

Private collection, Southern Germany, acquired in 1960s.
with Paul-Francis Jacquier, Numismatique Antique, Münzen und Kunst der Antique, 13 September 2013.
Acquired by the present owner at the above sale.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12189-222313.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 76.12.4, for similar; for other similar examples Papuci-Władyka, E., Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, Poland, Fascicule 11, Cracow Fascicule I, Cracow, 2012, pl.43; see also a similar lekythos decorated with warriors in combat at the New Art Gallery Walsall, inventory no.1973.284.GR; for a general bibliography on the Attic Greek black-figure lekythoi see Haspels, C.H.E., Attic Black Figured Lekythoi, Paris, 1936; Beazley, J. D., Attic Black-Figure Vase-Painters, New York, 1978, pp.463-464, 699; Boardman, J., Athenian Black Figure Vases, New York, 1993, pp.114-115, fig.237; also Boardman, J., Les vases athéniens à figures noires, Paris, 1996.

The clothing and weapons of the hoplites are detailed copies of hoplites of late decades of 6th century B.C. The left warrior wears a Corinthian helmet with a high crest, a richly decorated robe and greaves. His round Attic shield, from which a richly pleated chlamys hangs down, is decorated with large circles. The middle and the right hoplite wear Corinthian helmets with a lower crest, and also beautifully decorated robes and greaves. They hold very large, Boeotian-shaped shields with striking bundles of lightning and 'flames'. As a beautiful counterpart to the left fighter, the right warrior carries a chlamys with long folds over his shoulder.