LOT 0096

Greek Terracotta Black-Figure Pyxis with Chariot

ATTIC, 6TH CENTURY B.C.

8 7/8 in. (1.05 kg, 22.5 cm wide).

Squat vessel with rounded foot and carination with band of tendrils, flared sidewall with carination and rim, broad watchglass lid with central knop handle; blackware frieze to the sidewall, chariot with four horses and attendants carrying spears and dressed in chitons and himatia, among them a noblewoman dressed in a long chiton and chlamys; lid with frieze of profile figures seated on folding chairs with attendants and petitioners, and two women in long robes within a band of coiled tendrils; repaired and restored.

Private collection, Mrs Lambelet, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, acquired before 1972; thence by descent.
Private collection N.S., acquired in 2012.

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.13223-249242.

Cf. fragment of a similar pyxis in the British Museum, inv. no. 1886.0401.1289 (Nycostenic pyxis) in Beazley J.D., Payne, H.G., ‘Attic Black Figured fragments from Naukratis,’ in Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol.49, pp.253-272, p.265 no.44.

Many Athenian vases depict a quadriga, often in racing or military scenes, but in this case, the depicted scene is peaceful and could be linked to a wedding. The painting can be divided into two scenes: the first, on the sides, is the bridal procession, where the bride is conducted on the chariot which will bring her to the groom, accompanied by her father and relatives; the second, the lid painting, where the nuptial feast is prepared, and the conversing guests are waiting for the bride.