South Italian Gnathian Shoulder Lekythos with Swan

拍品描述

Ca. 400–300 BCE. Ancient Greece, South Italy, Gnathian ware, ca. 4th century BCE. A slender and confident vessel, this Gnathian pottery shoulder lekythos balances sculptural form with restrained pictorial elegance. The tall body rises from a small foot into a pronounced shoulder and narrow neck, its surface articulated by vertical ribbing that gives the vessel a rhythmic, architectural presence. The body is covered in a deep black glaze, its glossy surface interrupted by the tactile cadence of the ribs, which catch light and shadow as the vessel turns. At the shoulder, the decoration shifts from structure to imagery. A delicately painted swan glides across the surface, rendered in added white and pale ochre tones, its elongated neck and rounded body conveying quiet grace. Floral motifs and curling tendrils accompany the bird, softening the geometry below and framing the narrative space of the shoulder. Size: 3.3" Diameter x 7.5" H (8.4 cm x 19 cm) Size: 7.5" H x 3.3" Diam (19.1 cm H x 8.4 cm Diam). In ancient Greek thought, swans carried rich symbolic associations. They were sacred to Apollo, god of music, prophecy, and light, and were believed to sing most beautifully at the moment of death, giving rise to the enduring idea of the swan song. Swans were also linked to themes of transition, purity, and the passage between worlds, making them especially resonant motifs on vessels associated with oil, perfume, and funerary ritual. Their presence here lends the lekythos a poetic layer of meaning, suggesting harmony, divine protection, and the gentle threshold between life and remembrance. The neck is accented with vertical painted lines, while the flat-topped mouth is decorated with radiating bands that echo the circular logic of the vessel itself. A single handle connects shoulder to neck, its curve functional yet expressive, guiding the eye upward toward the lekythos opening. Gnathian ware, produced in South Italy during the late Classical and early Hellenistic periods, is distinguished by its use of added color on a black ground and its preference for elegant, symbolic imagery. Lekythoi of this type were commonly associated with oils and perfumes and often carried funerary associations, making their refined decoration particularly resonant. This example presents a compelling union of form and image, where ribbed structure, avian symbolism, and floral ornament work together to produce an object that is at once decorative, ceremonial, and quietly lyrical. SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item #194001

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