AN ATTIC BLACK-FIGURED NECK AMPHORA
ATTRIBUTED TO THE BATEMAN GROUP, CIRCA 520-505 B.C.
The obverse with Herakles battling Amazons, the hero clad in short chiton and the Nemean lionskin, its pelt carefully stippled, quiver slung over shoulders, a scabbard hanging behind, with sword in his raised right hand, left arm extended towards the Amazonian queen, Andromache, down on one knee with head turned back, wearing high-crested helmet and holding a circular shield, to the right a standing Amazon wearing high-crested helmet, holding a spear and circular shield, another Amazon behind Herakles, running to the left but looking back, wearing tall pointed cap, with quiver case in left hand; the reverse with warrior holding two spears leading a horse, a cloaked youth in front looking back, another behind gesturing with his raised left hand; lotus-palmette chain above each scene, rays on foot, painted red graffito on underside
19¼ in. (48.9 cm.) high.
Provenance
Private collection, U.S.A.; acquired in the 1960s.
with Antiquarium Ltd., New York, 1994.