Antiquities

Greece

Lot 702
Attic Black-figured Lekythos with Revelers. Athens, c. early 5th century BC. Vessel of usual shape: footed, of narrow conical form with carinated shoulders, constricted neck, single handle, and funnel mouth. Lekythos with painted figures in black on red ground, with added details incised, or in white paint. Scene: youth in short tunic on walking horse right. Two nude reveling youths flank rider on either side. Vine and grapes in background. Black darts around shoulders and neck, along with handle, rim and foot in black. Repair at neck, otherwise very well preserved for these, which are often very weathered or eroded. Height: 5-1/2".
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Ex Summa Galleries; ex Milton Anastos Collection.

Lot 703
Attic Black-figured Lekythos with Chariot Race Scene. Athens, c. early 5th century BC. Vessel shape similar to previous, but higher and more cylindrical, with tubular mouth, and thick stepped foot. Lekythos with painted figures in black on red ground, and added details in white and red paint, with considerable incised work. The scene shows two quadrigae (with black and white horses) passing a ribbon entwined terminus or post -- the two drivers arched forward in excitement. Usual black darts around shoulders. Chipping to mouth, with repairs to neck and handle. Otherwise, paint very well preserved, the black glaze extremely glossy. Height: 5-1/2". Explicit sports scenes are less common, and so always desirable. This example, albeit simply rendered, displays much vivacity.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Workshop of the Emporium Painter. Cf. C.H.E. Haspels, Attic Black-Figured Lekythoi, Paris 1936, pl. 48, no. 5. His lekythoi, however, are normally white ground, and so this example may be from the hand of a workshop associate. Also cf. CVA Cambridge I, pl. 22, no. 39, also with a chariot race.

Lot 704
A Fine Miniature Red-figured Lekythos showing Poseidon. Athens, c. mid 5th century BC. Vessel of normal shape, finely potted and with choice glossy glaze. The body all in black but for the single figure of bearded Poseidon, clad in chiton and overmantel, standing right and holding trident. At vessel's neck a row of darts, with a vine of palmettes below. Repairs to mouth and upper neck; rest of bottle pristine and choice. Height: 3-3/4". A delightful little miniature. The rendering a lively characterization. Sophisticated miniatures like this are scarce, not to mention that Poseidon is not particularly widespread in the pictorial repertoire.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.

Lot 705
A Large Red Figure Mug Depicting Herakles. Magna Graecia, Apulia (or perhaps Paestum), c. 350-330 BC. An unusually large and finely potted "mug" (type VIII mug) is executed in both painted and incised technique. The glaze is a silvery metallic-looking black, with added details in yellow. The primary scene with Herakles, clad in the skin of the Nemean lion, who raises his club to slay the centaur Nessos, whom he grasps by the hair. Nessos with panther skin draped over his shoulders. In yellow paint is a wreath and bracelets for Nessos, and bracelets and anklets(!) for Herakles. Fillers in field comprised of large tendrils and acanthus palmette. At mug's shoulder a row of ovolo and petals. At neck, incised ivy vine, the leaves painted. A nearly invisisble repair at handle, otherwise vessel intact, and very well preserved (some trivial rubbing or flaking to glaze). Height: 5-1/2".A notable lot for both the rare, large size of the mug, plus the rarity of Herakles scenes in this body of work.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
Vessel attributed to the Lampas painter. Cf. Bottini & Fresa, Forentum II, Venosa 1991, pl. 51.
Nessos was a centaur who, ultimately, was the instrument of Herakles' death. Nessos carried Deïanira, the daughter of King Oenus (along with being Herakles' wife), across the River Evenus and then tried to rape her while Herakles was stranded on the other bank. Herakles saved her by shooting him with an arrow that had been dipped in the poison of the Lernaean hydra. The dying Nessus told the gullible Deïanira to gather up some of his blood to use as a love potion on Herakles, should the hero's love for her ever begin to wane. Later, when Herakles began wooing Iole, Deianira sent to Herakles a robe that had been dipped in Nessus' blood. The centaur's blood actually proved to be a poison which brought about the hero's demise. Deïanira, finding out what she had actually done, commited suicide.

Lot 706
A Red-figured Lykanis with Intricate Feminine Vignettes. Magna Graecia, Campania, c. 350-320 BC. The lykanis, a twin-handled, lidded dish, is one of the preeminent ceramic forms peculiar to the Italian Greeks. The base in fine black glaze, with a reserve band in red around the rim delineated as a laurel wreath. The elaborate lid with three distinct scenes. Each of the women are attired in similar chiton, headdress, and white shoes. A: Woman seated on rocks and holding mirror; Eros, holding sash, flies toward her from behind. B: Eros, standing at left, offers a seated woman a phiale containing fruit; Eros again holds sash, the woman holds wreath and plucks at garment as if about to remove it (she perhaps Aphrodite?). C: Woman, holding large phiale and wreath, runs to right, her head reverted. Figures drawn in a very lively manner in black, with considerable added details in white and yellow. Numerous floral elements serve as fillers in the field. Knob of lid with addorsed palmettes; wave pattern along bottom rim. Lower dish intact and pristine. Lid recomposed from a few large fragments and with insignificant restoration -- otherwise extremely well preserved. Width: 9-3/8". Height: 5-5/8". This a particularly fine and decorative example of its class.
Estimated Value $3,000-UP.
Cf. A.D. Trendall, The Red-figured Vases of Lucania, Campania, and Sicily, Oxford 1967, pl. 182, no. 3.

Lot 707
A Good Sized and Boldly Painted Skyphos. Magna Graecia, Apulia, c. 350-310 BC. The twin handled cup of slim proportions on small foot. The black glaze fine and even, with slight metallic cast. The ornament consists of applied paint in white and yellow, plus incised line or petal motifs. The front shows the head of a lady of fashion, with richly curled hair held within a sakkos, and flanked by swirling tendrils and leaves. Above, incised and painted petals, ovolo border below. Meander pattern at bottom. The back with alternating rosettes and vine swags; petal border above. Reserve band of red at foot. Recomposed from large fragment, with trivial restoration; otherwise condition especially fine. Height: 4-1/2". Good, careful work for this series. A bold, and flashy antiquity.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.

Lot 708
Well Crafted Oinochoe with Unusual Portrait. Magna Graecia, Apulia, c. 340-330 BC. This type III oinochoe slimly proportioned and finely potted. The black glaze glossy and very even, with both painted ornament and incised line and petal motifs. The front shows the head of a lady or youth, in white paint, with unusual hair style or headgear of almost Scythian appearance. The head covering red in color and outlined with fine zigzag border in yellow. Curls (or straps) hang to the shoulders. Along central yellow band, faint trace of applied impasto dots, suggesting a wreath. On either side of the head, a pomegranate, a fillet, a plant, and ivy leaves. Above, incised and painted petals, with herringbone pattern underneath. Apparently intact and free of repairs. Aside from slight rubbing at rim, preservation exceptional. Height: 5-1/2". Interesting portrait of good style for this period. Noteworthy and something different.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Cf. M. Bernardini, Vasi dello stile di Gnathia, Bari 1961, pl. 37, no. 2.

Lot 709
An Elaborate Miniature Gnathian Pelike. Magna Graecia, Apulia, c. 330-300 BC. The graceful little ceramic vessel with twin handles, piriform body on short foot, and wide, applicator-like mouth. Over finely fired black glaze, the ornament consists of applied paint in white and yellow, plus incised line or petal motifs. The front shows the head of a lady of fashion, with elaborate coiffure, and flanked by curling vines. Above and below, incised petals highlighted with white.The back with simple rosette and a swag of vine leaves, in white and yellow. Minor wear and nicks to edge of rim, otherwise bottle free of repairs and in choice condition. Height: 4-3/4". Charming late work on a scarce shape.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.

Lot 710
An Elegant Gnathia Ware Ribbed Bottle. Magna Graecia, Apulia, c. 330-300 BC. This distinctive bottle finely potted and proportioned. The globular body on broad stepped foot, the narrow neck gracefully curving up the wide mouth with raised and skirted rim. Around the body is neatly crafted vertical ribbing. At the neck and shoulders, in white and yellow paint, the head of a lady of fashion. Emerging on either side of her neck a complex arabesque of tendrils and flowers. Around the vessel's neck, a border of vertical rays. Reserve band of red at foot. Apparently intact and free of repairs. In marvelous condition. Height: 7-3/4". An outstanding example of type. Certainly an eye catching object for any antiquities collection.
Estimated Value $2,500-UP.
Cf. Padget et al., Vase Painting in Italy, Boston 1993, 206-7, no. 132;CVA London I, pl. 8, no. 9.

Lot 711
A Published Red Figure Lekythos with Rare Siren Motif. Magna Graecia, Paestum, c. 350-330 BC. Squat lekythos type, with broad, almost globular body on flat foot. The strongly constricted neck with wide-rimmed, deep funnel mouth. Small strap handle attaches at back. Main device a siren in profile left, perching on rock from which a plant arises. The siren with painted and incised details. She is flanked on either side by larger tendrils and flowers. Beneath handle, large ornamental acanthus palmette. Intact, and in fine condition. Some minor fading or rubbing to painted tendrils, and some slight flaking in areas of the glaze. Height: 6-1/2". An attractive depiction of this mythological being, who had become rare as a subject on vases at this time.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Published by Trendall, The Red Figured Vases of Paestum, British School at Rome 1987, p. 372, no. 61.

Lot 712
Stylish Terra Cotta Head of Athena, or Warrior. Magna Graecia, Tarentum, c. 415-375 BC. Molded in a tan-beige ware, with faint greenish cast, the head rather narrow, and from a figure that was more likely meant to be seen from the profile rather than frontally. The head perhaps that of Athena, or a youthful warrior, wearing a Corinthian helmet pushed up high on the head. The head a separate attachment to a complete figure, or possibly a votive object complete in itself. Some slight rubbing at sides and back, otherwise intact and very fine. Height: 3-1/4"; mounted on lucite base.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
While the head could well be Athena, its similarity to other votive statuettes from Tarentum make it more likely a heroic male warrior is intended. Sanctuaries excavated in the heart of the city have yielded thousands of votive figurines. Mostly these were dedicated to Dionysus. Much rarer are those statuettes of male warriors. The cloth or leather cap worn beneath the helmet, and visible at the sides and back, derives from the Persian mitra. By the late 5th century, the combination of a mitra and the pushed back Corinthian helmet had come to be a symbol of military prestige, harking back to the Greek victories over the Persians.