Large Greek Terracotta Spindle Unguentarium

With cylindrical body and broad bevelled shoulder, stepped foot, lateral squared loop handles and strap handle to shoulder, broad mouth; Side A: seated female in himation holding an offering bowl in her extended left hand; white detailing to the diadem, necklace, earrings, mirror in her right hand, rim of the bowl and elsewhere; Side B: reserved palmette motif extending to the shoulder and neck; repainted. 771 grams, 23 cm high



Acquired on the art market between the late 1990s and mid-2000s. Estate of the late Barry Paul Buxton (1944–2024), Oakham, Rutland. Acquired on the UK art market, 2025. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence analysis report no.N126a16 from Oxford Authentication.

Apulian red-figure had a strong influence on other Italian ceramics of the late 5th century B.C. and an even greater effect from around the middle of the 4th century, with potters and painters apparently migrating to Italic centres throughout Apulia, as well as to Metaponto, Paestum and other parts of Campania. Although it is most probable that Taranto was the main centre of production for Apulian red-figure, the recent extensive finds at Canosa, Melfi and other sites suggest that there were numerous Apulian centres of manufacture.

Comprising a bell-shaped thin-walled body with two strap handles and an everted rim, dark lip with a thin circumferential band below; each handle with a lentoid motif; narrow foot with two circumferential bands above. 206 grams, 16 cm wide



From the estate of a Swiss gentleman, Ticino, before 1970. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.

Daunian pottery is characterised by unique shapes and decorative motifs, which include geometric patterns, plant and animal motifs, and human figures. The pottery is typically made from a coarse clay, and it is decorated with black or dark brown slip, a type of liquid clay that is applied to the surface of the pottery before firing.

With flared foot, ovoid body, tapering neck and scooped trefoil mouth; tall gusseted strap handle to the rear; painted frieze of a phalanx of hoplites wearing crested helmets and bell-shaped armour with round aspis and eight-shaped (Boeotian) shields, knemidai greaves, long spears and scabbarded swords. 487 grams, 23.2 cm



Private Swiss collection, 1980s. Acquired on the European art market, 1992; thence by descent. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Jacques Chamay. 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.13220-249241.

The scene depicts a succession of warriors, marching to the left at a rapid pace. Closely packed, one behind the other, they are confined within the figurative field and extend well beyond the upper and lower edges. It is a scene taken from the Homeric poems. The style of the oinochoe is characterised by the abundant use of thick white and burgundy highlights, resulting in a striking polychrome effect. There is a tendency to extend the figures beyond the frame, due to the subject being too ambitious for the available surface. The chequerboard motif on the neck is a very rare decorative motif. The vase's importance is reinforced by its exceptional state of preservation.