Greek Archaic Terracotta Alabastron, TL Tested

Ancient Greece, early Archaic period, ca. 8th century BCE. A stunning pottery alabastron presenting a slender, elongated body of drop form that gently tapers to a brief slanted shoulder, a narrow neck, and a wide-flaring rim, all atop a rounded base. Alabastra are long-bodied vessels with flat disks for the mouth. The shape was common in Corinth and came to Athens in the sixth century BCE - this is an early example of one of these. The term alabastron is Greek with Egyptian origins, and many of the oldest examples are painted white, perhaps in imitation of the stone. This example displays the natural color of alabaster. Alabastra were used to hold perfumed oil; in fact, scenes on painted vases show women using them to apply it after bathing. Size: 1.5" Diameter x 8.4" H (3.8 cm x 21.3 cm); 8.9" H (22.6 cm) on included custom stand.

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available for $50 to the buyer. Please contact us to request.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#154224
Condition Report: Rim reattached at neck with light area of loss on break line. Expected nicks, chips, indentations, and abrasions, commensurate with age. Areas of fire darkening. Otherwise, excellent with TL holes to base and under rim.