Ancient Greece, Corinth, ca. second half of the 6th century BCE. A lovely wheel-thrown, polychrome oinochoe of a sweet and petite form with a characteristically piriform body, a cylindrical neck that rises to an elegant trefoil spout, and a high-arched trifurcated handle joining rim to shoulder, all upon a concave disc foot. The body is intricately decorated with a central register featuring a sphinx, a swan with outspread wings, a leonine creature, and frets adorning the shoulder - all delineated in red and black on a cream ground with the neck, spout, handle, and foot embellished solely with black glaze. The black-figure technique is executed beautifully with details delineated in fugitive red pigment in addition to incised highlights. Size: 3.125" in diameter x 5" H (7.9 cm x 12.7 cm)
In antiquity, Corinth was wealthy and believed to be blessed by the gods, in great part due to its natural springs that flowed across its fertile plain. It was a cosmopolitan city that engaged in a great deal of trade with neighbors and other polities, near and far. Vessels like this one have been found in great quantities in graves around Corinth.
Provenance: ex-private Orange County, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000
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#167014
Condition
Earthen encrustation on interior of the trefoil spout. Sandy contents within. Base/foot reattached. Nice remains of red fugitive pigment.