Large Corinthian Mortarium with Frieze of Swans and Lions

Comprising a wide foot beneath a squat stem with a bulbous body, a sloped shoulder beneath a columnar neck, a flared rim, and a pair of applied strap handles arching between rim and shoulder; body decorated with eight slender, vertical ribs surrounded by pecked stippling; two lateral bosses beneath a parabolic arch; surface burnished throughout; foot restored. 1.29 kg, 22.1 cm



From the collection of Eleanor Hilowitz (1913-2007), an abstract expressionist painter and sculptor, New York, USA; acquired between 1956 and 1975. Acquired by Randall Hixenbaugh of Hixenbaugh Ancient Art, New York, USA, in 2007. with Artemis Gallery, 26 September 2019, lot 54 (US$2,000-3,000). Property of a South Australian private collector, with collection reference 20.03. Accompanied by detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photograph.

With rounded bottom, broad body and neck, slightly flared rim, strap handle to the rear, spout with flared end, bands of incised lines and zigzags. 347 grams, 13.1 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

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.