Greece, Magna Graecia, southern Italy, Pagenstecher Class, ca. 340 to 325 BCE. A charming lekythos or oil pouring vessel exhibiting an oblong body that narrows to a cylindrical neck and then flares to a flat rim as a strap handle joins neck to shoulder, all upon a discoid foot. The exterior is expertly adorned with black-figure technique, displaying the image of a single large swan or goose standing in profile surrounded by stylized renderings of palmettes. Black pigment further envelops the top of the handle, rim, neck, bottom, and base, creating a lovely scrolling frame for the beautiful bird. Size: 2.3" Diameter x 5.8" H (5.8 cm x 14.7 cm)

The swan played a complex role in Greek mythology - the attribute of Aphrodite and Apollo, said to sing a song of unearthly beauty as it dies, as well as the form assumed by Zeus to ravish Leda, mother of Helen of Troy. The latter, based on the writings of Ovid and Fulgentius, was well known in the European Middle Ages, and inspired artists, including Michelangelo, during the Italian Renaissance. However, the ancient Greek artisan who made this piece was probably depicting the swan as a general symbol of passion and beauty rather than a direct reference to the Zeus and Leda story. That subject gained its popularity later, because in Christian Europe it was more acceptable to depict women being intimate with a swan than with a man, while in ancient Greece there were no such restrictions.

According to the British Museum, the Pagenstecher Class referred to: "A group of 4th century BC vases (mostly lekythoi), collected by R. Pagenstecher early in the twentieth century and called by his name. These vases are unexpectedly decorated with the black-figure technique at a time when red-figure was the dominant technique in South Italy. The black-figure renaissance apparently took place in a number of centres, as most of the lekythoi were found in Campania and Sicily, while a few were also found in Paestum and Apulia. Sophisticated in style and relatively small in scale, most were decorated with only single figures, or a head or a bird."

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available for $50 to the buyer. Please contact us to request.

Provenance: ex-Hindman Auctions, May 28, 2021, lot 135; ex-distinguished Midwestern, USA collection; ex-F. Renn-Rain Roma Antiquarian, Rome, Italy

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#165534

Repair and restoration to neck and rim. Expected abrasions and nicks in areas. Possible repainting to body. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining pigment and detail. TL holes to base and underside of handle.