LOT 108

Greek Corinthian Aryballos

(Ceramic, 105 grams, 85 mm.).

Circa 600 BC. A finely decorated handled aryballos with broad flat rim, all enlivened with added crimson, black and white slip showing on the main body a scene of a lionskin-clad and bearded hero holding a giant fish by its tongue and with a fishing line; the fish heavily scaled and with large teeth; behind the hero a seated winged and robed Nike holding a bowl; the base with a band of darts; the rectangular-form handle with depicted figures on the three sides and a lion on the uppermost surface; the rim with a row of stylised serpents around the external upstand and with a floral border to the rim interior. [No Reserve]

Property of a Middlesex Gentleman; acquired in the early 1970's; ex Chris Protheroe.

The depiction of a hero battling a giant fish is likely to be a Corinthian representation of the ancient legend, well known to Christianity, of 'Jonah and the Whale'.