7th century B.C. A Corinthian black-figure piriform alabastron with broad mouth, possibly by the Brussels painter, pierced lug handle below, the body decorated with a figure of a swan in profile with wings spread, stylised flowers of varying sizes in the field, dashes to the neck and upper face of the mouth, dots around the rim. Cf. The British Museum, museum number 1865,1214.16, for similar; cf. Amyx, D.A., Corinthian Vase Painting of the Archaic Period, Berkeley, London, New York, 1988, for an alabastron by the Brussels painter. 43.58 grams, 77 mm high (3 in.). Ex Gubelin collection, Luzern, Switzerland, prior to 1970. Black-figure vase painting comprised figures drawn in black silhouette, the internal details of which were realised with incised lines as well as the addition of red and white pigments. The style emerged in Corinth in the mid-7th century B.C. but developed into the full Corinthian style in the last quarter of that century. This Corinthian style pottery often uses Near Eastern, or 'Orientalising' motifs, depicting real and mythological animals in registers crowded with incised rosettes. The swan was often associated with the mythological figure of Leda, or with the so-called Mistress of the Animals. For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website.]