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LOT 0060
Large Greek Attic Black Figure Kylix with Chariot Scene
5TH CENTURY B.C.
10 1/8 in. (566 grams, 25.5 cm wide).
A terracotta kylix with broad flat foot, short stem, broad bowl with carination at the shoulder, glared mouth and two square strap handles; frieze of black-painted decoration including two scenes of a chariot yoked to two centaurs, one with sgraffito markings, between palmettes; restored.
ProvenanceCambridgeshire collection, 1990s-2000s.
Ex property of a Sussex gentleman.
Accompanied by an academic report by 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.11579-198944.
Cf. the British Museum, museum number 1864.1007.294, for similar, in Walters, H.B., Forsdyke, E.J., Smith, C.H., Catalogue of Vases in the British Museum, London, 1893-1895, cat.B441; see another similar example of Attic black-figure deep-bowled kylix in the Monash University Museum, inv. No.10.26180; see also similar examples in style in Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession number 1972.118.144; for the type of object see J. Paul Getty Museum, accession number 85.AE.25; British Museum, London, accession numbers 1852,0707.14, 1864,1007.1526, 1864,1007.1528, 1864,1007.1534, 1906,1215.1, 1906,1215.4, 1952,0204.17; examples with long neck in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession numbers 06.1021.157, 98.8.16 and Archaeological Museum, Bologna, G597.
FootnotesThese Attic kylikes were usually presented with a stemmed base, a deep bowl and twin, upturned loop handles, all upon a concave base. The exterior walls were decorated with black-figure technique on red background, here in a style remarkably similar to that of the Haimon Painter, especially in the rendering of facial features, and feet. The imagery on the exterior of these kylikes, used in the symposia, varied a lot. Just as the cup could be a mask (in the so-called typology of the Attic black-figure eye cups) to transform the drinker, to give a “complex painted character”. Daily life scenes, or fantasies like the chariot here pulled by centaurs, were among the various subjects.
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LOT 0060
Large Greek Attic Black Figure Kylix with Chariot Scene
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
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Greek Terracotta Bull Statuette
5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £171
A terracotta standing bull with stylised anatomical detailing; hollow-formed. 274 grams, 12 cm high
Fine condition.
Acquired before 2000. From the property of a Suffolk, UK, lady. -
Large Greek Apulian Red-Figure Bell-Krater
4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £28,600
A red-figure terracotta bell-krater displaying polychrome figural panels between a laurel wreath and a band of Greek key motifs; side a) two robed male figures holding staffs, wearing a taenia or a band around the head, standing facing a central altar; side b) a woman wearing a chiton and holding a casket and olive sprig in her outstretched hands, advancing right towards a nude man standing right, his head turned towards her, holding a bucket and olive sprig, a cloak draped over his arm, elaborate volute palmettes beneath both handles; restored. 4 kg, 41 cm wide
Private collection, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Ex collection H.& P. Payot, Clarens, by descent. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.QED2237/SG-0201 from QED Laboratoire. 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.11580-199029.
Wide-mouthed bell kraters like this one were specifically designed for holding large quantities of liquid and to work as mixing bowls, as it was considered barbaric for wine to be drunk neat (a privilege only enjoyed by Dionysus and his entourage who could handle such a level of intoxication). Wine would be mixed with water, usually one part to three, or even more, as described by Homer regarding the wine offered to the giant Polyphemus (Odyssey, IX, 206-211). As such, kraters provided an ideal large surface area for decoration, and as wine was of utmost importance at the symposium, kraters would usually take centre place, and the decoration of such vessels were geared towards such gatherings attempting to provide subject matter for philosophical debate, like the ones described in Athenaeus’ Deipnosophistae. -
Archaic Greek Mounted Warrior with Shield
7th-5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
A terracotta figure modelled in the round as a mounted warrior, the stylised horse modelled standing on stub legs, with a long neck and detailing to its eyes; the warrior holding a shield in his left hand, right hand and arm raised to eye level, wearing a crested helmet; restored and mounted on a custom-made display stand. 410 grams total, 16 cm high including stand
Acquired before 1990. From an old German collection.
Terracotta figurines of horse and rider were common grave offerings in Boeotia, northwest of Attica, particularly during the 6th century B.C. Representations of warriors on horseback were already widespread in the Geometric Period, and also widely employed in Cyprus in this same period. The image of our rider, although influenced by Cypriot designs, does not show typical Cypriot characteristics, and indeed his kausia cap suggests a northern Greek origin.
