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_900x900.jpg "Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors")
_200x200.jpg "Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors")
_900x900.jpg "Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors")
_200x200.jpg "Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors")
_900x900.jpg "Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors")
_200x200.jpg "Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors")
.jpg "Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors")
.jpg "Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors")
.jpg "Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors")
LOT 0048
Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors
ATTIC, 500-480 B.C.
6 1/4 in. (262 grams total, 16 cm high including stand).
Of ovoid shape, short neck and expanded flat rim; painted in horizontal bands with black vertical strokes the shoulder, ovules in the upper part, the central scene representing a Greek Ekdromos fighting a Scythian archer; the Greek warrior, wearing a light sleeveless chiton, and a crested Corinthian helmet, carrying a wide hoplon shield, and a long spear with which he is slashing his opponent; the Scythian archer is wearing a typical tall cap flowing backwards and his long coat-suit, carrying a gorytos, (quiver) and composite bow with arrow; horizontal black stripes below; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceLouis-Gabriel Bellon (1819-1899) collection, France.
European private collection, 2009.
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.13019-246753.
Cf. for similar images Ivantchik, A.I., ‘’Scythian’ Archers on Archaic Attic vases: problems of interpretation’ in Ancient Civilizations from Scythians to Siberia, 12,3-4, Leiden, 2006, fig.nos.5,8; for the Greek and Scythian military costume Sekunda, N., The Ancient Greeks, London, 1986, pp.13-15; Head, D., The Achaemenid Persian Army, Stockport, 1992, figs.12,21, for similar alabastra; Sekunda, N., The Athenian Army 507-322 BC, Oxford, 2025, fig.p.20.
FootnotesThe importance of this alabastron is linked to its iconography, which represents episodes of the Persian Wars, fought 490-480 B.C. Such alabastra are part of a series realised during the period of the conflict and after, and they are an important source of information on the Persian and Greek armies. Here, the two opponents evoke the Greek victories, with a light-armed Greek ekdromos (hoplite fighting in light equipment) killing a Scythian archer, who formed part of the Persian army. The representation of Scythian costume in vase-painting reached its height of popularity between c. 530 and 490 B.C., and went out of fashion after the Graeco-Persian wars, when these clothes began to be associated with the Persian ethnic identity rather than the original Scythian.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0048
Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors
Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,000
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Greek Terracotta Spindle Flask
Hellenistic, late 2nd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With long narrow neck developing to a fusiform body and flared foot. 72 grams, 12 cm
From the collection of a Cambridge, UK, gentleman, by direct descent from his father, who acquired the items in London in circa 1960. -
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Etruscan Carnelian Scarab with Bust of a Warrior in Later Victorian Gold Brooch
5th-4th century B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
The scarab with anatomical detailing on the carapace, underside with a profile bust of a helmetted warrior; set in a later brooch frame with swivel mount for the scarab. 10.35 grams, 55 mm
Acquired on the European art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13358- 257891.
Egyptian-style scarabs and scaraboids were characteristic of Etruscan art from the 8th century B.C. Originally made in Phoenicia, Cyprus or Rhodes, these objects were made of faience, blue paste, glass paste, bone, or semi-precious stones of varying hardness, from steatite to quartz, onyx and jasper. Mounted in settings on revolving pendants of precious metal, later imitated by Etruscan goldsmiths, these Egyptianising items performed prophylactic-religious functions. -
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Greek Black-Figure Ware Kylix
Attic, circa 5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
Broad and shallow with two strap handles, an advancing figure holding a shield at the tondo, outside with a figural frieze of two robed figures in discussion, seated on churule chairs, an attendant behind the left figure, a rider on horseback on each side of the scene; restored. 373 grams, 26 cm
From a German collection, pre 1970. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13316-258818.
The present piece is a wide-bowled drinking cup known as a kylix - one of the most popular forms of pottery from the Achaean times (1600-1100 B.C.) through to the classical period (c.510-323 B.C.). It dates to an important moment in the development of Greek ceramics, just as the black-figure technique was being perfected by Athenian painters. Painted in black slip with details incised on top, kylikes usually had a frieze around the outside of the bowl as well as another scene on the tondo of the inside.
