Description:

Ancient Greece, ca. mid 5th century BCE. An elegant, large, hammered bronze hydria, with cast handles, rim, and foot. The handles are smooth, rather than fluted as many examples are, and give the piece a flowing appearance. The rim flares outward, its edge rolled down and decorated with a stylized egg and dart pattern in relief. The patina has beautiful blue, turquoise, and teal hues. Hydria frequently appear in scenes of women carrying water from fountains, which was one of the duties of women during this time period. The two handles at the sides were used for lifting, while the handle at the back was used to dip and pour. However, bronze examples like this were likely not merely utilitarian but rather were created as special funerary offerings. Size: 13.5" W x 14.5" H (34.3 cm x 36.8 cm)

A bronze hydria of similar squat shape (but with a more elaborate handle) sold at Christie's Hong Kong in 2008 for USD $50000 - lot 95.

Provenance: Property from the George R. Francoeur Trust, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, sold to benefit the George R. Francoeur Scholarship Fund at Cranbrook Academy of Art -  before 2000

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#157152

  • Condition: Significant restoration, around 50%, as is not uncommon on vessels this old and this thin.

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August 13, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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