Hellenistic / Roman Terracotta Blackware Askos w/ TL

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DAY 1 | Antiquities, Asian, Russian, Fine Art...

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 20, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-06-20 10:00:00 2018-06-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : DAY 1 | Antiquities, Asian, Russian, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/day-1-antiquities-asian-russian-fine-art-3276
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional art from around the world Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Classical World, Late Hellenistic to early Roman Imperial periods, ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. A large and lovely hand-built blackware terracotta pouring vessel with a ringed base, a bulbous gourd-shaped body, an arching strap handle, a gradually-narrowing neck, and a square spout with a rounded pouring end. The highly-burnished askos displays a pair of tendril-form embellishments which drape down the top of the body from the spout, flanking either side of the handle and curving down and around towards the base. Vessels like this example were likely used for pouring wine during celebratory feasts or gatherings base on its resemblance to a leather wineskin, and its elegant, monochromatic presentation belies its simple utilitarian function. Typical examples of this form were created from cast bronze, making this ceramic example one of exceptional rarity and beauty! Size: 5.5" W x 8.1" H (14 cm x 20.6 cm).
  
  The Greek term askos was originally used to describe an animal skin bag used to carry liquids such as wine or water. In scale and shape ceramic vases like this one recall small skin bags for alcoholic beverages with handy carrying straps. In ancient art, however, wineskins are large bags carried over the shoulder and lack the end-to-end strap. Finely-decorated examples of askoi were intended as funerary objects, though unembellished examples like this one were likely used in every-day life. Such vessels were created exclusively for the indigenous peoples residing in the northern regions of modern day Apulia and Daunia during the 4th century BCE, though the form eventually found its way into early Roman life during the end of the Hellenistic era around the 1st century BCE.
  
  For a stylistically-similar example in bronze, please see the Museum of Cycladic Art, collection number Nr0735: https://cycladic.gr/en/exhibit/ng0735-askos?cat=archaia-elliniki-techni
  
  This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) and has been found to be within the age range listed above; if purchased, you will receive a report confirming its age.
  
  Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-La Reine Margot, Paris, France, a third generation antiquities dealer
  
  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.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #135096

  Condition

  Area of repair to spout lip with some resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Majority of handle restored. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, minor nicks to handle, body, spout, and base, with fading to pigmentation. Light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory sticker underneath base.
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