Lot 47
**First Time At Auction**
Magna Graecia, Southern Italy, Apulia, Canosa, ca. 4th to 3rd century BCE. A gorgeous polychrome volute krater, meticulously hand-painted with mythological imagery and molded, janiform Medusa mask terminals surmounting each handle. Supported by a platform foot, the body of the vessel features a nude rider on horseback, his long cape flapping behind him as he raises a spear with one hand and holds a shield in the other, flanked by classical columns on either side. The head of Nike, the goddess of victory, adorns each side of the neck, her wings spread as her idyllic visage gazes outward, surrounded by scrolling motifs. The shoulder boasts a tongued pattern, as meander designs are shown above Nike, and lattice decoration embellishes the rim. Additional scrolls ornament the handles as well as the verso of the body, accompanied by intricate abstract designs of palmettes, wheels, wings, and ray motifs. A truly breathtaking example of ancient south Italic pottery! Size: 8.3" W x 14.1" H (21.1 cm x 35.8 cm)
Canosa - Canusion, in antiquity - was a major center of the ceramics and pottery trade when it was a Greek polis. It produced truly unique pottery, completely different in decoration style (although not in shape) from earlier and neighboring traditions. The clay is buff, with the decoration applied directly to it without the use of slip; the pink, blue, and red here are among the coveted colors found on these vessels. The hole in the bottom of the vase signifies that this was made solely for funerary purposes (and it's quite cool to look inside and see the clay that was pushed up through the bottom to form a hole). In ancient Greek practice, a bottomless vase like this was placed over a grave and offerings like wine were poured straight through it. Others, like this one, were never used but were buried in the tomb beside the deceased to evoke this custom. The funerary theme of the piece also indicates that it was made solely for burial purposes.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report will accompany the item upon purchase.
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Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired before 2003
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#177322
- Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting in areas, as well as smoothed hole in bottom of basin leading through foot. Some stable hairline fissures to handles and light surface wear throughout, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent presentation with impressive remaining pigments and detail. TL holes to base and top rim.
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| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |