Apulian Red Figure Fish Plate w/ 15 Sea Creatures

Magna Graecia, Apulian, 4th century BCE. South Italian fish plates, so-called because of the lively aquatic scenes that adorn them, were extremely popular in the 4th century BCE. The form of this dish is characteristic of this type: a slightly concave plate with a central depression surrounded by a fretted border with a rounded, concave foot, and a turned down rim adorned by a band of laurel around the edge of the plate. The stars of the decorative program of this plate are fifteen marine creatures: four large ones - including two large fish, one cuttlefish, and one torpedo - swimming with eleven other sea creatures, among them smaller fish and mollusks. Additional details are skillfully delineated in fugitive (added) white pigment. Size: 9.875" in diameter x 2.625" H (25.1 cm x 6.7 cm)

The original use of fish plates is still a matter of debate. Some have argued that the aquatic imagery suggests that these plates originally were intended as a serving platter for fish, its central impression used to hold an accompanying fish sauce or served to catch liquid draining from the dish.

Cf: I.McPhee and A.D. Trendall, Greek Red-figure Fish-plates, Basel, 1987.

Provenance: ex private American collection, 2008

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#153134
Condition Report: Professionally repaired from several pieces with restoration over the break lines. Normal surface wear but imagery is still strong. Scattered deposits grace the surface.