Lot Essay
Sold Sotheby's, London, 9 December 1985, lot 262.
CIRCA 500 B.C.
Details
AN ATTIC BLACK-FIGURE AMPHORA
CIRCA 500 B.C.
Side A: Maenad astride a bull, her head turned back over her shoulder, in her outstretched hands she holds long vine garlands laden with bunches of grapes which flow to the ground covering the field around her and below the bull
Side B: Athena, wearing high-crested helmet and holding owl on her left arm and spear in her right hand, stands bidding farewell to Hermes who advances before her, his head turned back towards her with right hand raised in farewell, caduceus in left hand, two attendant female figures stand in mourning behind the goddess
Neck decorated with double lotus and palmette chain, alternating red and black tongues around the shoulder, frieze of three pairs of lions confronting boars with additional boar and swan around the lower part of the body, rays round base of foot, rim and upper part og neck repaired with minor areas of restoration
15½ in. (39.4 cm.)
CIRCA 500 B.C.
Side A: Maenad astride a bull, her head turned back over her shoulder, in her outstretched hands she holds long vine garlands laden with bunches of grapes which flow to the ground covering the field around her and below the bull
Side B: Athena, wearing high-crested helmet and holding owl on her left arm and spear in her right hand, stands bidding farewell to Hermes who advances before her, his head turned back towards her with right hand raised in farewell, caduceus in left hand, two attendant female figures stand in mourning behind the goddess
Neck decorated with double lotus and palmette chain, alternating red and black tongues around the shoulder, frieze of three pairs of lions confronting boars with additional boar and swan around the lower part of the body, rays round base of foot, rim and upper part og neck repaired with minor areas of restoration
15½ in. (39.4 cm.)
Sale room notice
This neck amphora has been attributed to the Leagros Group.