Parthian Blue Glazed Amphora-Type Vessel

Conical sheet-gold dangle with applied rim and three suspension loops, filigree detailing beneath the rim, four vertical braided filigree bands to the sidewall, granule cluster finial. 2.25 grams, 26 mm



UK private collection formed before 2000. Ex North London, UK, gallery.

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).

Opaque with vertical ribbing around the globular body, trumpet-style neck and mouth with rolled rim. 76 grams, 73 mm high



Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998.