Athens, ca. 550-540 B.C. Done in black figure technique, this pottery wine vessel features a double frieze of ivy leaves between the handles and an alternating black and red tongue pattern band on the outer base. There is a small area of glaze roughness on inside lip and on outer lip (both areas on same side), which is an indication of a burial pattern.
Siana cups are scarce, and are named after several examples that were found at Siana on the island of Rhodes. The shape was first developed by Attic potters, and were planned for a balance of light and dark, and this type of decoration was influenced by the archaic ceramics produced at Corinth. The one distinct feature that this type of vessel has is the elegant curved base-stem, that reaches up in support of the large bowl, and it is this design gives this nice piece a great deal of eye appeal. For this type of vessel see "Attic Black-Figured Pottery" by Robert Folsom, Noyes Classical Studies Pub., New Jersey, 1975, and "Simply Decorated: Black Siana Cups by the Taras Painter and Cassel Cups", by H.A.G. Brijder, Bulletin Antieke Beschaving, vol. 68, 1993, pp. 129-145.
Attributed to the Taras Painter (a nearly-identical example of the same size/condition was offered by Sotheby's Antiquities, London, July 1994, no. 297; L2,500.00-L3,000.00 estimates, L2,530.00 realized.)
13"W handle span x 5-1/4"H.
Provenance: Ex-private New York collection, ex-private German collection.
This lot will be sold not subject to a reserve. The starting price is the price at which the item can sell.
Repaired from large fragments and 100% original, overpaint over repaired areas only.
View Bid Increments & Buyer's Premium
| Estimate | $6,000 - $8,000 |
| Starting Bid | $4,000 |
