APULIAN RED-FIGURE OINOCHOE

Ca. 4th century BC.
A black-glazed red-figure oinochoe, fashioned from ceramic material, presents a bulbous body resting on a ring base, featuring a tapered neck adorned with a trefoil spout. The vessel incorporates a strap handle with a raised rib, connecting the shoulder to the mouth. The frontal scene on the oinochoe is framed with decorative borders, with an ovolo pattern on top and a wave pattern on the bottom, while chevron patterns embellish the sides. Within this frame a standing maenad, positioned on the left, is depicted robed in a long tunic. In her left hand, she holds a large patera with offerings, exhibiting a gentle sway towards a central altar. Adjacent to the altar, a nude male figure, wrapped with a wreath and a mantle thrown over his left arm, extends his right hand just above the altar in a gesture of offering. Above the altar, a mushroom-shaped cluster of grapevine adds a nuanced detail to the composition. This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy.
Size: 230mm x 165mm; Weight: 770g
Provenance: Property of a central London gallery, previously acquired on the Dutch art market; Ex. Frederik Van Driel, Maastricht 1993. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.