Ancient Greece, Classical Period, ca. 5th to 4th century BCE. A beautiful matching pair of cast leaded-bronze vessel handles, perhaps for a water-bearing vessel like a hydria or a kalpis. Each handle features a crescent-shaped hand grip lined with tongue-form protuberances, a central ringlet with a rope-twist motif, and narrow terminal ends that are integral with the middles of 2 broad, finely detailed ivy leaves bearing delineated veining and serrated 'teeth' around the peripheries. Handles like these examples would be attached to the sides of large bronze vessels as opulent adornments meant to please the wealthy Greeks who owned them. The ivy leaves themselves are perhaps a symbol of the leafy wreath worn by Dionysus (Roman Bacchus), god of wine, festivity, fertility, and theater. Size of each (both are relatively similar): 4.8" W x 3.8" H (12.2 cm x 9.7 cm)

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

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#154301

Both handles have light abrasions, minor softening to some finer details, light encrustations in scattered areas, and thick encrustations behind each ivy leaf, otherwise intact and excellent. Great green and brown patina throughout.