an attic bilingual eye-cup

CIRCA 515 B.C.

Details

an attic bilingual eye-cup
Circa 515 B.C.
The interior with black figure within black circle, showing the Minotaur running to left, holding stone in each hand, with kalos inscription running around him: ("the boy is beautiful")
A and B: Pair of eyes with eyebrows between shut palmettes, stylized nose between the eyes, added red for eye pupils, relief contour lines throughout, (repaired from fragments with minor restoration, fine glossy exterior surface)
5½in. (14cm.) high, 16 1/8in. (41cm.) diam. incl. handles

Lot Essay

For a general discussion of Attic bilingual vases, see Cohen, particularly pl. 108/1,2 and pl. 63/2 for bilingual cups with Minotaur tondos. See also Beazley's comments on standard eye cups ARV p.39ff. This cup has palmettes with, as Beazley called them, "late hearts" - black except for reserve dot in the middle.

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