Phoenician Shipwreck Pottery Amphora

With a high-gloss black slip, ovoid body and a short wide neck with a flaring rim, a wide strap handle and a flat base. 144 grams, 95 mm wide



Ex P. A., Hertfordshire, UK, specialist collection of Greek art, 1980-1990s.

The black glaze technique uses the same glaze used by the Greeks on the red-figure and black-figure ceramics, but covering the entire piece, without figurative decoration. It was a transparent raw glaze, which took on its characteristic intense, glossy black tone after firing.

Group of three hemispherical bowls with burnished surface, one with old collector's inked notation 'L.S./2.60'. 1.09 kg total, 14-15 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.

A circular box mirror comprising: a lid featuring a hammered sheet repoussé appliqué of Eros and Aphrodite, god and goddess of love, standing on either side of a thymiaterion, or censer associated with religious worship and ritual; Eros with wings outstretched, left hand supporting the top tier of the censer, right hand lowered to his side holding a wreath(?); much delicate incised detailing to his wings indicating a feathered texture; Aphrodite standing to the right, wearing a floor-length woollen tunic or chiton, a pleated himation around her waist and draped over her left arm; right hand held above the top tier of the censer; the scene is framed within an incised circular roundel; the interior of the lid, and the base including its flange, featuring a series of lathe-turned concentric circular mouldings; both halves mounted on a cleverly designed custom-made stand, which reproduces the human act of lifting the lid off the mirror base; museum-quality. 1.17 kg total, 15 cm



Private collection, London, 1975. with Christie's, Rockefeller Plaza, New York, 9 June 2011, no.109. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Kallos Gallery catalogue pages where the mirror is published. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12054-213612.

Handleless mirrors were luxury items that began to be produced in the second half of the 5th century B.C. Themes surrounding Aphrodite were very popular at this time. During the 4th century B.C. Eros was commonly depicted as a slim youth approaching manhood rather than as a child, as he is shown here on our example. Eros and Aphrodite are the two Greek deities most famously believed to induce desire.