Greek Terracotta Twin Bull Statuette

With strap handle positioned over the central hole; black-figure decoration with fired umber (reddish-brown) consisting of a broad band heightened with crimson and white round the upper part of the wall, and a wavy band on the reversed area below; broad band of black (fired umber) inside the ring and around the neck below the spout; groups of transverse lines with faded petals around the top, horizontal lines across the handle; intact. 349 grams, 16.5 cm



Acquired from Charles Ede Gallery, London, in 1982. Prominent Palm Springs, California, USA, collection. with Artemis Gallery, Colorado, USA, 14 July 2012, lot 30 (US$2,500-3,000). Property of a South Australian private collector, with collection reference 14.08. Accompanied by detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photograph.

Etrusco-Corinthian pottery is a local imitation of Corinthian pottery, made from the late seventh to the mid-sixth century B.C., with production concentrated on the southern Etruscan cities of Caere, Veii and Vulci. The forms predominately employed include various forms of jug (olpai, oinochoe) and unguent containers (aryballoi and alabastra) as well as amphorae and craters. The askos is the name given in modern parlance to a type of Greek pottery vessel used to pour small quantities of liquids such as oil. It is recognisable from its flat shape and a spout at one or both ends that could also be used as a handle; they were usually painted decoratively like vases and were mainly used for storing oil and refilling oil lamps. They were extensively traded in and around the Mediterranean, and local types emerge in Italy from the early Iron Age in Italy (cf. CVA Taranto – Museo Nazionale I, pl. 1.1 (Inv. 2400) – refer photo at 14.08 – 3); also CVA British Museum 7, pl. 4.4). The original meaning of ἀσκός is “wineskin” which can be seen in the shapes of early askoi. This askos has unique painted decoration for which a parallel has not been found to date. For an earlier variant of this type, see CVA Tarquinia – Museo Archeologico Nazionale III, pl. 27.7-8 (Inv. RC. 1892). Described as 'Italo- Geometric' and dated to third quarter of the seventh century; askos is 10.2cm high, 11.5cm diameter; dark brown paint. Neck is longer than on Inv.14.08, and different decorations, but otherwise an early parallel (refer photos at 14.08 – 4 & 5). Another variant of this type can be seen in CVA Museo Civico d’Archeologia Ligure di Genova, I, pl. 1.2-3 (Inv. 1101). Described as Italo-Corinthian but undated, askos is 11.0cm high 11.5cm diameter; neck is longer than on Inv.14.06, with handle not curving, and different decorations (see photos 14.08 – 6; 7). The groups of horizontal line decoration can be seen on earlier types, cf. late eighth to early seventh century footed cup in the Museo Archeologico della Maremma (CVA Grosetto Museo Archeologico I, pl. 26.3 (Inv. 24294)). See askos at the Museo Nazionale di Villa Giulia from the Polledrara necropolis at Vulci, dated to 625–600BC (refer photo at 14.08 – 8).

Formed with a high foot and loop handle to the inturned rim, decorated on the outside rim with a complex pattern of interlocked chevrons perhaps representing two seated figures. 410 grams, 18 cm



From the estate of Mr Robert Onsted (1948-2011). Ex Malter Galleries Inc, California, USA, 2007. Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, USA, 19 October 2020, lot 141. Property of a South Australian private collector, with collection reference 20.21. Accompanied by detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photograph.

Hencken notes that cover-bowls as the lids of urns assume various closely related shapes; if there is ornament, it generally consists of some of the same decoration as is found on urns.

Squat skyphos on a low, pared conical base; two small horizontal handles round in section, short flaring everted rim; painted in dark brown with decoration limited to two window-like areas between the handles; on either side of the bowl two large ducks moving to the right with incision and overpaint clarifying the mass of the bodies, wings indicated with two quick horizontal strokes and a row of pendant arcs or scallops with dots of red and white overpaint for a rich, feathered effect; rosettes filling the space around the ducks. 257 grams, 18 cm wide



In the collection of Mr Ulfert Wilke, founding Director of the University of Iowa Museum of Art. Acquired from Ulfert Wilke on 29 May 1968. From the collection of Dr Howard Sirak, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Ex I.M. Chait Gallery, Los Angeles, USA, 14 December 2020, lot 212. Property of a South Australian private collector, with collection reference 20.34. Accompanied by detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photograph.

The catalogue cites this piece as no. 3.10 from the Wilke Collection and the original sticker is on the base. The catalogue was for the exhibition at the University of Iowa Museum of Art from 17 March to 30 April 1971.