LOT 0083

Very Large Italo-Geometric Amphora with Two Handles

7TH CENTURY B.C.

17 1/8 in. (2.58 kg, 43.5 cm).

With ovoid body on a tall conical foot, ovoid body sloping steeply towards the neck with wide everted rim; applied geometric decoration in clusters of lines, broad stripes, dentil patterns, vertical zig-zags and hatched lozenges; at the shoulder, alternating metopes of saltires, quatrefoils and swastikas; one handle largely absent.

Ex Prof. Kurt Alder, Riehen, acquired in October 1978; thence by descent.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13512-263122.

Cf. Jacobsen, J. K., Ippolito, F., Mittica, G. P., & Handberg, S., ‘Greek and Greek style pottery in the Sibaritide during the 8th century B.C.’ in Semerari, G. S. & Burgers, G.-J. (eds.), Early Iron Age Communities of Southern Italy, 2015, pp. 151-175, fig.15, for a stand of a similar amphora.

By the last quarter of the 8th century B.C., the Oinotrian-Euboean production was diffused in the Greek Italic Colonies, characterised by larger vessels with elaborate figurative decoration similar to decoration known from Eretria. A detailed stylistic correspondence can be observed between the Cesnola-inspired fragments from the area north of the Daphnéphoros sanctuary of Apollo in Eretria and a decorated stand from the Timpone della Motta. With this elaborate series, the Oinotrian-Euboean production is consistent with the high craft specialisation observed in the local Euboeanizing production on Ischia.