Lot 70E
Fine Magna Graecia Apulian Red-Figure Ladies Pyxis
Fine Magna Graecia Apulian Red-Figure Ladies Pyxis
Starting Bid: $800
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Magna Graecia, South Italy, Apulia, ca. 4th century BCE. A beautifully preserved terracotta pyxis with lid, decorated in the red-figure technique characteristic of Apulian workshops. The domed lid presents the busts of two richly adorned females, the so-called "Ladies of Fashion" - an artistic motif embodying ideals of beauty, refinement, and social prestige in Magna Graecia. Each is shown in profile, wearing a saccos (head scarf) and elaborate jewelry, including strands of pearls and ornate hair ornaments, framed by elegant palmette motifs. The lower body is enveloped in a lustrous black glaze and set on a tall pedestal foot, while the lid fits securely into the grooved rim, completing the vessel's harmonious form. Size: 3.3" Diameter x 3.75" H (8.4 cm x 9.5 cm)
The "Lady of Fashion" motif was not simply decorative but conveyed cultural meaning, embodying virtues of sophistication, fertility, and status. Such pyxides were personal luxury items, often used to hold cosmetics, jewelry, or other small valuables, and were frequently placed in tombs as symbols of wealth and refinement in the afterlife. The excellent condition, detailed figural decoration, and fine glaze of this example make it a particularly striking piece of South Italian pottery, blending artistry and social symbolism.
Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery, 2020; ex-Artemission, London, UK; ex-Akiba Antiques
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#197137
- Condition: Excellent condition. Lid has chips to rim and a stable fissure opening in the center of the handle. Lower body has some nicks and abrasions, but otherwise both are intact! Black glaze has developed a lustrous iridescence from age.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |