Greece, South Italy/Magna Graecia, Apulia, ca. 4th century BCE. A pair of matching ceramic plates, each with a broad form, standing on a low, round, narrow foot so that they are slightly elevated above the table. Each has a thick, flat rim, decorated with vertical red and black lines. At the center of each is a well-depicted "lady of fashion" motif. She wears a sakkos (a type of hair covering), earrings, and a beaded necklace. These figures are often thought to represent brides, or youthful women, and they are found painted onto pottery that was made to be placed in the tombs of women. While these figures can sometimes appear stilted, these particular examples have a sensitive, detailed appearance, with well-rendered, curled tendrils of hair framing their faces. Each head sits within a border of repeated waves; another border of leaves separates the center of the plate from the rim. Pale yellow details enliven the red-figure style of the piece. Size of one (they are very similar in size): 10.5" W x 2.1" H (26.7 cm x 5.3 cm)

Provenance: private Davis Collection, Houston, Texas, USA; acquired at Christie's New York 12-13-2013 (lot 98); ex West Coast, USA private collection; acquired at Sotheby's New York 3-1-1984 (lot 314); ex Dr. And Mrs. Herbert Hidde, Massachusetts, USA

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#132773

Each has been repaired from multiple pieces, with some small areas of overpainting along the repair lines. Nice deposits on surface, especially on the underside. Black has nice silvery patina in some places.