Greek Fikelluraware Trefoil Oinochoe, ex-Royal Athena

Eastern Greece, Rhodes or Asia Minor, Archaic Period, ca. 6th century BCE. An elegantly constructed ceramic trefoil oinochoe with radiating crescent bands painted in an earthy burnt orange pigment on a peach-colored background in three registers around the body and a Greek key around the neck. A thick band of the same pigment covers the mouth of the vessel, which has fired in some places to a shiny black. The vessel stands on a wide, disc-shaped foot and has a widening body and curved shoulder below the short, cylindrical neck and trefoil mouth. A thin handle rises high above the flared rim and connects to the shoulder. This is a beautiful example of Fikellura ware, first found in Rhodes, but made at the site of Miletus on the coast of Asia Minor. Size: 5.45" W x 7.55" H (13.8 cm x 19.2 cm)

Fikellura ware has been found in Rhodes, Miletus, Histria, and Samos, and analysis of the clay suggests that it was manufactured in Miletus, one of the most important East Greek cities of the Archaic period. Vessels like this one were traded far and wide throughout the eastern Mediterranean. The archaeological discovery of shipwrecks with their contents intact, including some containing thousands of pieces of Archaic pottery, suggests that this oinochoe could have been a trade item available to a wider range of people in ancient society - a functional item rather than just a prestigious one. Its survival today allows us to understand the ancient economy and appreciate the beauty of even utilitarian objects for the ancients.

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

Provenance: private Alabama, USA collection; ex-Roy Green collection; ex-Royal-Athena Gallery, New York, New York, USA, acquired March 10, 2008; ex-private French collection

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#148724
Condition Report: Expertly repaired and restored where the handle meets the body. Otherwise in great condition with nice remaining pigment and light deposits on surface. Interior has nice root marks. TL drill hole on underside.