Greek Apulian Red Figure Lidded Olpe

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Fine Antiquities, Ethnographic & Fine Art

By Artemis Gallery

Aug 13, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-08-13 10:00:00 2020-08-13 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Ethnographic & Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-ethnographic-fine-art-5415
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• Lot Description
  Magna Graecia, South Italy, Apulian, ca. 4th century BCE. A gorgeous lidded olpe of an attractive form comprised of a generous body, a cylindrical neck that gently flares at the rim, a Herakles knot handle joining rim to shoulder, and a lovely lid. The body is finely painted via the red-figure technique with a winged Nike/Victory seated in profile and holding a large casket, all delineated via the red figure technique with white fugitive pigment details. Adding to the decorative program is a composite palmette beneath the handle and a register of stylized rosettes along the neck. The lid is also extensively decorated, presenting two Lady of Fashion heads similarly bedecked with jewelry and saccos with radiate stephane as well as palmettes and tendrils, and a pinwheel rosette adorns the knob. A fabulous example, replete with impressive artistry and especially lovely given the Herakles knot handle. Size: 5.75" W x 7" H (14.6 cm x 17.8 cm)
  
  According to the British Museum, "The marriage-knot or knot of Hercules, a strong knot created by two intertwined ropes, originated as a healing charm in ancient Egypt, but is best known for its use in ancient Greece and Rome as a protective amulet, most notably as a wedding symbol. The symbolism of the knot survived well beyond its religious use, and was a common symbol in medieval and Renaissance love tokens." In addition, according to Roman historian Pliny, the Herakles knot had the ability to cure wounds.
  
  Perhaps the most exciting innovation in Greek vase painting was the red-figure technique, invented in Athens around 525 BCE and beloved by other artists of Magna Graecia. The red-figure technique allowed for much greater flexibility as opposed to the black-figure technique, for now the artist could use a soft, pliable brush rather than a rigid metal graver to delineate interior details, play with the thickness of the lines, as well as build up or dilute glazes to create chromatic effects. The painter would create figures by outlining them in the natural red of the vase, and then enrich these figural forms with black lines to suggest volume, at times perspectival depth, and movement, bringing those silhouettes and their environs to life. Beyond this, fugitive pigments made it possible for the artist to create additional layers of interest and detail as we see in this example.
  
  Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000
  
  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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  #157381

  Condition

  Lid with single repair to rim and knob handle reattached. Body intact with pigment faded in areas and areas of surface deposits.
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