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THBAttic Black-Figure Kyathos - Eyes, Dionysos, Sphinxes
Lot 25a
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$10,000 - $12,500
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| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Feb 21, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-02-21 10:00:00
2019-02-21 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-3858
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (472)
- Lot Description
Greek, Attica, ca. 530s BCE. A very rare black-figure kyathos - a dipper or ladle with a high vertical handle topped by a shell-shaped ornament - painted with a scene that is directly related to the function of the vessel - to remove wine from larger vessels. Two enormous apotropaic eyes serving to protect the drinker flank an image of Dionysos (Roman Bacchus) - the god of wine - who sits in profile amidst fruitful grapevines, holding a large drinking horn or rhyton, donning a luxurious chiton with a cloak over his shoulder, and with a wreath in his curly coiffure. Surrounding the raised handle is a pair of magnificent sphinxes who are intended to assist the apotropaic eyes in warding off evil. Adding to the fine execution of the black-figure technique are the incised details as well as the fugitive/added red and white pigments. Size: 5.875" W at widest point x 5.75" H (14.9 cm x 14.6 cm)
The cult of Dionysos originated in Thrace and became widespread in Greece in the 6th century BCE. During the reign of Pisistratus (560-527 BCE), the cult of Dionysos became an official state cult in Athens.
Scholars believe that Greek vase painters placed eyes on cups, because they were apotropaic - having the power to ward off evil. Another theory, particularly in reference to eye cups in the form of kylixes, is that that when held up to drink, the eye cup would transform into a mask with painted eyes, handles that resembled ears, and the foot resembling a mouth.
For further reading: W.L. Hildburgh. "Apotropaism in Greek Vase-Paintings." Folklore. Vol. 57, No. 4 (Dec., 1946), pp. 154-178.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Richard Wagner collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in the 1960s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#141435Vessel body repaired from multiple pieces with some areas of restoration and repainting in the vicinity of the break lines. Handle repaired and restored with overpainting.Condition
- Shipping Info
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