Greece, Athens (Attic), ca. 5th century CE. An oh-so-sweet Attic lekythos vessel decorated via the black-figure technique with details skillfully incised as well as delineated in fugitive red and white pigment. The iconographic program features a bearded leader or god shown seated and flanked by 4 standing, armed warriors or hunters. A pair of dynamic animals - perhaps a rabbit and hound - run across the shoulder, while black pigment envelops the rim, handle, base, and foot. An elegant vessel, replete with a lovely form and exciting iconography! Size: 2.6" Diameter x 5.7" H (6.6 cm x 14.5 cm)

Lekythoi were used for storing oil employed for a wide variety of purposes in the Classical World. While larger examples were usually designated for keeping olive oil, relatively smaller more delicate examples were reserved for the bath to store precious unguents of sweet and floral aromas. This beautiful vessel was most likely created for an elegant lady's toilette and perhaps depicted her husband or father.

Provenance: private Marysville, California, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, USA, Antiquities - Egypt, Greece, Italy, Near East auction, September 22nd, 2020, lot 41; ex-Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2000

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#171118

Repairs to foot with restoration. Normal surface wear with scuffs and minor pigment losses commensurate with age. Abraded area below handle. Otherwise, excellent with great form and strong imagery.