Greek Large Lekanis Lid with Lady of Fashion

A marble head of lady carved in the round with semi-naturalistic, masculine facial features, severe facial expression, hair dressed with a central parting and tied in a chignon at the nape of the neck; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 386 grams total, 11 cm high



Acquired in the 1980s. Ex private German collection.

Probably a votive statuette, of which only the head remains; it may also have been part of a high-relief made in the style of Asia Minor sculptures. The soft treatment of the hair, and the deep-set eyes in the narrow face, creating a soft effect, are among the characteristics known from the late Classical period. The arrangement of the hair in soft curls encircling the face, in a manner which provides a triangular form to the forehead, and then hanging downwards after being collected at the back of the neck, resembles the Kore types known from the early Hellenistic period.

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 copper-alloy ring composed with a slender hoop with large elliptical bezel, engraved with a centaur rearing left. 5.80 grams, 24.33 mm overall, 20.62 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.