c.6th century B.C. A piriform aryballos with winged panther, ovoid in shape with flattened bottom containing a central circular depression, the neck narrow with wide flat rim and small pierced handle; the body with lively decoration featuring a central winged panther, shown with head facing, its body turned to the right and wings spread outward, two large rosettes bordered by smaller rosettes and floral motifs behind, all painted in a dark brown and purplish brown slip with incised highlights; the bottom of the vessel and shoulder adorned with vertical tongues bordered by horizontal lines. 208 grams, 15.5 cm high (6 1/8 in."). Collection of Mr Ulfert Wilke, founding Director of the University of Iowa Museum of Art. Private collection of Dr. Howard Sirak, Columbus, Ohio; acquired 29 May 1968. Ancient Resources, California, USA, auction 46, lot 154. Private Australian collection. Accompanied by an illustrated two page collector's cataloguing document. Accompanied by a copy of handwritten and typed notes, and a drawing of the object by Richard De Puma (one of the world's pre-eminent Etruscologists), made on 18 September 1979. For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price

Fair condition, some restoration.