Greek Black Ware Kantharos

A red-figure terracotta hydria with mythological scene, the vessel with integral round-section upward facing handles, a third, round-section handle placed vertically between shoulder and upper neck to rear; laurel sprigs to the neck with traces of gilding; combat scene with Amazons (and Trojans?) below, armed with short swords and crescent shields, most wearing an exomis leaving the shoulder and one breast uncovered; volute palmettes below both side handles, a panel of tiered and swirling volutes to the rear, all on a band of egg-moulding, repeated around the rim; possibly Apulian or Campanian; restored. 3 kg, 46 cm high



Ex collection Woodyat, Rome, Italy, 1912. with Vente Genève, 24 & 25 June 1960. Private European collection. 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 search certificate number no.11581-199028.

The mythological topic of this hydria is fascinating, representing the fight between Amazons and Greek or Trojan heroes (suggested by the central cavalryman wearing a Phrygian cap). During this period, Amazons were no longer represented as Persian or Scythian warriors, as in Attic red-figure ceramics, but depicted as athletic parthenoi and wearing chitons. Rather than the oriental costume and armour, the Amazons wear a short exomis with a bare shoulder and breast (Patten, 2013, PI.VI, I, VI,2, 2 and 3).

A ceramic burnished ware zoomorphic jug with a piriform body, slender cylindrical neck with tapering U-section spout with integral handle to rear and perforated lug to the base of the neck at the front; decorated with a shallow incised geometric motifs composed of clusters of horizontal lines and bands of lozenges with hatched fill, chevrons along the spine of the handle; accompanied by a display stand; some restoration. 667 grams total, 33 cm high including stand



Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.

Red burnished ware pottery became the dominant pottery ware lasting into the Middle Bronze Age on the island of Cyprus. Vessels were handmade and covered with a slip, which was burnished and often decorated with patterns incised with a sharp cutting edge before being fired. Potters were able to produce vessels that were either mottled or painted in two colours, often red outside and black inside and on the exterior of the rim.

A gold amphora-shaped pendant composed of strip-twist volute handles, spool-shaped neck, piriform body and plinth style foot, body decorated with deep geometric cells inlaid with vibrant lapis lazuli, turquoise and possibly glass paste; suspension loop over mouth; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 6.96 grams, 33 mm (16 grams total, 49 mm including stand)

Fine condition.

with Sotheby's, New York, 12 June 2001, lot 230 (US$10,000-$15,000). Property of a London gentleman. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Sotheby's catalogue pages.