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LOT 0050
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.
ProvenancePrivate 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.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
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.
FootnotesThe 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.
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LOT 0050
Greek Attic Black-Figure Lekythos with Combat Scene
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000€23,200 - 34,800 (for guidance only)$27,000 - 40,500 (for guidance only)
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Greek Terracotta Fragment Group
4th century B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £65
Including a trumpet-shaped pot lid, D-section model animal and other items. 120 grams total, 39-73 mm
Acquired 1979-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Corinthian Piriform Aryballos
Circa 625-600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
With short strap handle below mouth, piriform body, painted radiating and horizontal bands and pellets; mouth with painted bands to rim and base. 39.1 grams, 79 mm
Private collection, London, acquired in the 1960s, by descent. English art market, prior 2022. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Hellenistic Bronze Protome of a Maenad
3rd-2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,420
Modelled in the half-round as a maenad or Artemis, hollow to the reverse with diadem of ivy leaves with clusters of berries at the centre, exaggerated lentoid eyes, peplos dress secured at her left shoulder by a disc brooch and at her right with a cloven hoof. 541 grams, 14 cm
Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12519-231946. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The Greek deity Artemis was the goddess of hunting, associated with wild animals and woodland as well as childbirth. She was often linked with folk magic and witchcraft due to her role as goddess of the moon. She was identified by the Romans with the goddess Diana. Artemis was born, with her twin brother Apollo, on the island of Delos, daughter of Zeus and Leto. Homer refers to her as Artemis Agrotera, Potnia Theron: "Artemis of the wildland, Mistress of Animals". Her best-known cult sites were on the island of Delos, in Attica at Brauron and Mounikhia, and in Sparta. She was often depicted in paintings and statues in a forest setting, carrying a bow and arrows, and accompanied by a deer. In Greek classical art, she is usually portrayed as a maiden huntress: young, tall and slim, clothed in a girl's short skirt, with hunting boots, a quiver, a bow and arrows. When portrayed as a moon goddess, Artemis wore a long robe and sometimes a veil covering her head. Her darker side is revealed in some vase paintings, where she is shown as the death-bringing goddess whose arrows fell young maidens and women, such as the daughters of Niobe. Artemis was also identified with the ancient mother goddess at Ephesus in modern-day Turkey and it was there that a huge temple was built in her honour, long recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
