Rare Minoan Cup w/ Labrys, TL Tested, ex-Christie's

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Exceptional Day 1: Antiquities & Asian Art

By Artemis Gallery

Sep 26, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-09-26 10:00:00 2019-09-26 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Day 1: Antiquities & Asian Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-day-1-antiquities-asian-art-4437
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional, museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Viking, Russian, Near Eastern, as well as Asian Art from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and India. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Ancient Mediterranean, Island of Crete, Minoan Civilization, ca. late 15th century BCE. An exceedingly rare wheel-thrown pottery cup with a discoid foot beneath a slender stem, a wide body with squat walls, a slightly flared lip surrounding the shallow basin, and a single applied loop handle arching off of one side. The cream-slipped vessel is decorated with purple-brown slip that forms concentric rings around the lower body and top of the foot, wide stripes on the handle and around the rim, petite leaves draped along the rim exterior, and vertical bands of stippling. Evenly spaced around the exterior walls are four labryses - ceremonial double-headed axes with two fan-shaped blades - shown here with wavy central poles. A beautiful utilitarian example from the Minoan artisans! Size: 5.2" L x 4.2" W x 2.8" H (13.2 cm x 10.7 cm x 7.1 cm).
  
  The Minoan double-axe, known as a labrys, was an important symbol of Minoan culture and religion. Labryses are considered by scholars to be one of the oldest symbols of Greek and pre-Greek civilization as its likeness was a recognizable character in the untranslated ancient language of Linear A. While practical uses of the labrys ranged from forestry, hewing, and other utilitarian tasks, they were also used in religious ceremonies that involved the ritual slaughtering of bulls; concurrently, the word "labrys" is etymologically connected to the word "labyrinth," the enormous maze-like creation that contained the mythological bull-headed beast known as the Minotaur. Their symbolism with women was also rather potent as they were associated with priestesses and certain female divinities. Women who owned a labrys were perceived as being of powerful statures and likely holding a position of importance within Minoan society.
  
  For a stylistically similar example, please see: Demakopoulou, Katie. "The Mycenaean World: Five Centuries of Early Greek Culture, 1600-1100 B.C." National Hellenic Committee, Athens, 1988, p. 105, no. 36.
  
  For four examples of the Minoan labrys, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 26.31.514: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/252433
  
  This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
  
  This piece is also accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate, reference number S00050314.
  
  Provenance: private Alabama, USA collection; ex-Roy Green collection; ex-Royal-Athena Gallery, New York, New York, USA, inventory number CLT124; ex-Christie's, London, South Kensington "Antiquities" auction (sale 8543, October 20, 1999, lot 163); ex-private English collection; accompanied by Art Loss Register certificate, reference number S00050314
  
  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.
  
  #148710

  Condition

  Repaired from a few large pieces, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor area of restoration on rim. Minor nicks and abrasions to rim, handle, walls, basin, and foot, with fading and chipping to original slip pigment, and light encrustations within some recessed areas. Great traces of original pigmentation throughout. Two TL drill holes: one beneath foot, and one inside upper handle arch.
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