Greek Terracotta Protome Mask

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 a 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 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).

Formed as hollow penannular hoops with eight rows of hollow cones and double filigree ropework band, two rows of filigree hoops to the terminals. 18.92 grams total, 33 mm each



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

With rounded loop handles with elaborate palmettes below, pedestal foot; Side A with nude Eros flying left, holding a dish in his right hand; Side B with a standing female (Psyche?) waiting for Eros and offering a wreath with her left hand, dressed in a flowing peplos, a small altar before. 90 grams, 27 cm wide



Ex Barnard & Moore, 2003. From a Norfolk, UK, private collection. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.N123k4 from Oxford Authentication. Accompanied by an old Moore Antiquities identification card with reference no.1958 and invoice dated 26 July 2003. 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 a search certificate number no.11918-205900.

The Iliupersis Painter was a south Italic Greek vase painter whose name is unknown. The name derives from a represented scene in a volute crater in the British Museum depicting the sacking of Troy (Iliou Persis). The characteristic pillar-shaped monument depicted here can be seen also on the MET hydria, where the closed foot of the woman corresponds in detail to the one on our vase. The Iliupersis Painter was a prolific and innovative artist, active just before mid 4th century B.C., whose work set the standard for the large, ornate-style vases of the second half of the same century: volute-kraters with plastic masks on the volutes, increased polychromy, complex floral ornament, multilevel compositions, mourners surrounding funerary naiskoi and stelei.