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LOT 0070
Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fish Scale Pattern, Possibly Attributed to the Bulas Group
ATTIC, EARLY 4TH CENTURY B.C.
5 1/8 in. (87 grams, 13 cm).
Ovoid shape with short neck and expanded flat rim; painted with horizontal bands with vertical strokes on the shoulder, fish-scale pattern below and running scrolled tendrils; horizontal stripes below.
ProvenanceCollection of M. Bouvier, Switzerland (1901-1980), Switzerland. Bouvier was a law professor in Alexandria prior to 1930.
with Christie's, London, 7 October 2010, no.117.
Private collection, 2010.
Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.N125q42 by Oxford Authentication.
Accompanied by copies of the Christie's catalogue pages.
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.13008-246447.
Cf. similar alabastron in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession no. 06.1021.89; Algrain, I., Brisart, T., Jubier-Galinier, C., Parfums de l’Antiquité, La rose et l’encens en Méditerranée, Manemont, 2008; Algrain, I., L’alabastre Attique, Origine, Forme et usages, Bruxelles, 2014, pp.145ff.; Algrain, I., ‘Assessing Forming Techniques of Athenian Ceramic Alabastra’ in EXARC Journal, 21/3, 2021, pp.1-10.
FootnotesThe alabastra of the Bulas Group display scale-like patterns. They were painted with slip, a liquid clay which vitrifies when fired. This group is usually dated to the late 5th – early 4th century B.C. It was named after Kazimierz Bulas, who was the first to study them in depth in the 1930s. He characterised various shapes according to their decorative techniques (nets and floral patterns) and their functions.
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LOT 0070
Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fish Scale Pattern, Possibly Attributed to the Bulas Group
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
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Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors
Attic, 500-480 B.C.Estimate: £30,000 - 40,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £15,000
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. 262 grams total, 16 cm high including stand
Louis-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.
The 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. -
Greek Bronze Bird
Geometric, 8th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Modelled in the round with pelta-shaped tail, columnar neck and pellet eyes; pierced through chest and back for attachment. 11.16 grams, 38 mm
Ex collection Mr K.H., Germany. Private collection, acquired in 2012. -
Iberian Bronze Statuette
4th-2nd century B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
Standing with arms held straight at the sides, short hair with neck-ring to rear, short-sleeved tunic with pleats to centre-front and rear, wide belt; perhaps a monumental fitting; gas permeation to rear right leg; mounted on a custom-made stand. 77.8 grams total, 10 cm including stand
Private collection, Paris, France, assembled in the 1950s-1960s. with Tessier-Sarrou & Associés, Paris, 2015. European private collection. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.S00107108. Accompanied by a copy of French cultural export passport no.167803. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12651-234613.
