Lot 10
Ancient Greece, Athens, Attic, ca. mid-5th century BCE. A wheel-thrown pottery drinking cup known as a skyphos - with a squat foot, an inverted bell-shaped body, one vertical handle, and one horizontal handle - but is better known as a glaux given how that is the Greek word for "owl." Enveloped with lustrous black glaze, the vessel is decorated via the red-figure technique to produce a charming owl motif with a bulbous head, enormous eyes conjoined in the center, a petite beak, a heart-shaped face, and slender dark streaks indicative of feathers. The bird stands atop petite feet between a pair of olive branches and stares outwards in an inquisitive manner. Size: 6" W x 3" H (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm)
The owl is a symbol of Athena and was often shown accompanying her during the Classical period; Athena, of course, was the goddess of the city of Athens, and so the owl became a symbol of Athens and its government. The olive tree, as well, relates to Athens. Athena and Poseidon were said to have quarreled over the city of Athens and Athena planted an olive tree on the Acropolis to show that it belonged to her. Herodotus records that, although the Persians burned all of the Acropolis, the remains of the olive tree sprouted a new branch the very next day. The Athenian imagery present on this piece reminds us of the power of Greek cultural symbols in the ancient world.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 41.162.127
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-M.M. estate, Texas, USA, acquired in the 1970s-1980s
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#173289
- Condition: Minor nicks and abrasions, with light fading to black glaze and some decorations, otherwise in excellent condition with great preservation to owl motif.
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