Greek Apulian Epychisis with Lady of Fashion

**Originally Listed At $1200**

Greek colonies, Southern Italy, Apulia, ca. 325 BCE. A classic South Italic example of an epychisis, a vessel for holding ointments and perfumes, with an incredible silvery patina. The vessel has a beautiful avian-form spout with eye-like attachments at the sides and a long, open, deeply-grooved, beak-like mouth. The tall strap handle rises from the back of the spout, then curves at an acute angle down to meet the shoulder. The body is round, almost reel-shaped, with a projecting rim underneath the shoulder and at the foot. Red-figure decoration is on the shoulder, rim, and lower body, including a "lady of fashion" on the shoulder directly below the spout. Greek key symbols are around the lower body, while swirling flourishes surround the woman's face. Size: 4.75" W x 7.75" H (12.1 cm x 19.7 cm)

The lady of fashion is a common motif in Apulian artwork. Here she is shown as a woman's head facing right, wearing a sakkos, a type of hair covering, earrings, and a beaded or pearl necklace. This motif is thought to represent a young woman on her wedding day, and they are found painted onto pottery that was made to be placed in the tombs of women.

A similar example (with a different style of spout) sold for GBP 1750 ($2500 USD) in 2014

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection; ex-Clive Sawyer Antiquities and Ancient Coins, Kent, United Kingdom

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#132916
Condition Report: Tiny area of repair on one side of the spout/stem. No overpainting. Incredible silvery patina!