Greece, Athens, ca. 530 BCE. A stunning Droop cup (pronounced Drope), a type of Little Masters Cup or kylix with a distinguished profile named for John Percival Droop (British, 1882-1963), a classical archaeologist who first recognized this type. As is characteristic of Droop cups, this example has a black concave lip, a high hollow foot with a ridge of buff clay at its upper end and a black band within the foot's opening, the interior with a petite circle in tondo and a buff band at the juncture between cup and lip. Most impressive is the elaborate decorative program on the exterior wall below the lip and raised loop handles, presenting rays extending just above the foot followed by concentric narrow bands, a register of stylized right-side up and upside down triangular or arrow-like motifs, more concentric bands, and finally a wide register featuring a stylized lotus or palmette frieze comprised of a continuous spiral accented with dotted teardrop motifs. Size: 11.375" W handlespan x 4.625" H (28.9 cm x 11.7 cm)

Provenance: ex-private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired in 1988 or prior; ex-N. Koutoulakis, Geneva, dba Xenos International Ltd., 1987

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#129528

Body reassembled from multiple pieces with areas of restoration over break lines. Foot reattached. Some surface wear as shown. Black glaze has attained lovely iridescence.