Description:

Greece, Magna Graecia (South Italic colonies), Apulia, ca. 350 to 330 BCE. A dramatic round ceramic lid with a tall, conical finial terminating in a small point. Red-figure wave-like motifs ring the lower part of the lid and its upper surface, while the finial and point are painted a uniform color. The lid was originally part of a lebes gamikos, an important and highly-symbolic vessel used during ancient marriage ceremonies. Its name literally translates to "marriage vase", and it was used to ritualistically sprinkle the bride with water prior to the wedding. Lebetes gamikoi were also an integral component of funerary rituals, used to consecrate the body of and act as a grave marker for women who died without experiencing the act of betrothal. Size: 4.6" W x 4.75" H (11.7 cm x 12.1 cm)

Provenance: private Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA collection; ex-Sotheby's, New York (December 7, 2005, lot 117/18); ex-private purchase in 1992 from dealer of American University of Sharjah professor and collector who acquired it in Cairo, Egypt, 1961; ex-Sotheby's, London (February 26, 1979, lot 273)

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.

#146843

  • Condition: Intact, with a few tiny chips and nicks commensurate with age. Nice deposits on underside.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

September 5, 2019 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$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