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Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

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Details

LOT 0032

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

ATTIC, 4TH CENTURY B.C.

9 1/4 in. (472 grams, 23.5 cm).

Cylindrical with echinus mouth and stepped torus foot, on the body a dynamic scene consisting of four rearing horses, side-by-side and wearing harnesses, nestled between the horses a standing warrior wearing a crested helmet, behind the horses an advancing warrior wearing a plumed helmet, holding a long spear in his raised hand a round shield in the other; before the horses a fleeing opponent in a running pose, facing back and holding a spear in one hand while protecting himself with a shield held in the other; long tongue motifs on the shoulder; restored.

Provenance

Ex Bonhams, Knightsbridge, London, 1990s.
Private collection, Suffolk.

Literature

Cf. for similar lekhitoi Madigan, B., Corinthian and Attic Vases in the Detroit Institute of Art, Geometric, Black-Figure, and red-figure, Leiden-Boston, 2008, figs.58-77 for the type, especially 61-62.

Footnotes

The scene depicts a battle between hoplites, possibly an episode from the Iliad. Originally, one or two of the combatants were positioned on a chariot; four horses from it remain visible. The scene may represent the wounding of Ares, the god of war, as he is pursued by Diomedes and accompanied by the goddess Pallas, whose helmet is emerging from behind the horses.

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LOT 0032

Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors

Estimate £1,200 - 1,700€1,390 - 1,970 (for guidance only)$1,620 - 2,300 (for guidance only)

Current bid: £800 +BP*
(1 Bid, Reserve not met)

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