Greek Cypriot Two-Handled Terracotta Painted Bowl

Comprising various vessel fragments including a partial handle, most with linear decoration, some with old pencil inscriptions. 122 grams total, 29-61 mm



From a deceased estate, UK. Acquired on the UK art market. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The fragments of Daunian ceramics presented here seem to belong both to the first vascular group of this type of ceramic, the most numerous, that of Herdonia, either to that of Canosa, which forms the second vascular group of Daunian ceramics. In the first group the two-tone decoration is limited to thin elements in red, interspersed with the rest of the decoration in a blackish-brown colour, consisting of minute and dense geometric motifs. The Canosa vases are instead generally monochrome, not lacking the sober use of red lines, having as a central motif a pendulous quadrangular panel, with three free sides of the decorative frame.

The ovoid body decorated with a combat scene, band of tendrils and leaves to the shoulder and vertical bands to the slender neck, trumpet-shaped mouth, strap handle and discoid foot; the scene comprising three Hoplites, the first in tall-crested Corinthian helmet, cuirass and greaves, xiphos hanging on his right side, thrusting with his long spear over his ellipsoid shield towards the middle figure, running forwards but with his helmetted head turned towards his attacker, using his Boeotian shield to ward off the blow while manoeuvring his own spear blocked by the third figure advancing against him, with spear held underarm, with birds in flight above. 481 grams, 26.5 cm



Private collection, Southern Germany, acquired in 1960s. with Paul-Francis Jacquier, Numismatique Antique, Münzen und Kunst der Antique, 13 September 2013. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12189-222313. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The clothing and weapons of the hoplites are detailed copies of hoplites of late decades of 6th century B.C. The left warrior wears a Corinthian helmet with a high crest, a richly decorated robe and greaves. His round Attic shield, from which a richly pleated chlamys hangs down, is decorated with large circles. The middle and the right hoplite wear Corinthian helmets with a lower crest, and also beautifully decorated robes and greaves. They hold very large, Boeotian-shaped shields with striking bundles of lightning and 'flames'. As a beautiful counterpart to the left fighter, the right warrior carries a chlamys with long folds over his shoulder.

With scooped profile to the foot, carination and vertically ribbed sidewall. 80 grams, 67 mm



From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.