Back
Antiquities & Ancient Art
|
- Sale 1188
Live
| Chicago
May 25 | 11:00 AM EDT
Live
| Chicago
Sale 1188
| Chicago
| Chicago
Estimate$40,000 – $60,000
Provenance:
Private Collection, Canada.
Sotheby's, New York, Fine Antiquities, 20 May 1982, Lot 92A.
Sotheby's, New York, Fine Antiquities, Islamic Works of Art, and Oriental Miniatures and Manuscripts, 2-3 December 1982, Lot 125.
This well-proportioned neck-amphora beautifully embodies the high drama of its subject matter. Side A depicts Hercules, draped in the Nemean lion skin, towering over the fallen Amazonian Queen Hippolyta whose sacred girdle is the object of his ninth labor. In this moment of intense drama, an Amazon warrior levels her spear while another approaches to aid their fallen queen. The deep shoulder of this finely ovoid vessel allowed the painter to elongate the scene, tightening the composition and amplifying its drama. The overlapping of each figure carefully creates a three-dimensional space otherwise not found in the crowed surface of the vessel. Side B echoes this heroic scene with three combatants in Corinthian helmets flanked vertically by carefully drawn ornamental friezes.
The vessel is attributed to the circle of the Antimenes Painter (active c. 530-510 B.C.), whose subjects ranged from lighter olive-picking and Dionysiac scenes to intense heroic episodes. The meticulous incising and painting of red and white details over the black figures after firing are hallmarks of his style which continued to be admired and followed even as other Attic painters began employing the red-figure technique. Details such as the carefully described quiver and chlamys of the Amazonian warriors testify to the skill of these late archaic workshops. For a similar neck-amphora attributed to the Antimenes Painter, see the Beazley Archive Pottery Database (Inv. no. 320046).
Inspected under UV light and 10x loupe. Acetone tested without lifting. Salt and mineral deposits inside. Body, and handles intact with no obvious signs of restoration; the foot restored from several fragments; Small restoration of fragment on the rim of the neck. Some chips and hairline cracks throughout and a few slight dents on side B. Loss of pigment in places, particularly towards the bottom. Some crackling and thinning of glaze particularly at the handles, side B's warrior shielf, and Hercules' raised shoulder. Traces of added red and white. Overall in fine and stable condition.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email antiquities@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
To request further details about this lot, please email antiquities@hindmanauctions.com
Jacob Coley
Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Antiquities and Ancient Art
