Lot 714
Ancient Greece, South Italy, Gnathian ware, ca. 4th century BCE. A slender and confident vessel, this Gnathian pottery shoulder lekythos balances sculptural form with restrained pictorial elegance. The tall body rises from a small foot into a pronounced shoulder and narrow neck, its surface articulated by vertical ribbing that gives the vessel a rhythmic, architectural presence. The body is covered in a deep black glaze, its glossy surface interrupted by the tactile cadence of the ribs, which catch light and shadow as the vessel turns. At the shoulder, the decoration shifts from structure to imagery. A delicately painted swan glides across the surface, rendered in added white and pale ochre tones, its elongated neck and rounded body conveying quiet grace. Floral motifs and curling tendrils accompany the bird, softening the geometry below and framing the narrative space of the shoulder. Size: 3.3" Diameter x 7.5" H (8.4 cm x 19 cm)
In ancient Greek thought, swans carried rich symbolic associations. They were sacred to Apollo, god of music, prophecy, and light, and were believed to sing most beautifully at the moment of death, giving rise to the enduring idea of the swan song. Swans were also linked to themes of transition, purity, and the passage between worlds, making them especially resonant motifs on vessels associated with oil, perfume, and funerary ritual. Their presence here lends the lekythos a poetic layer of meaning, suggesting harmony, divine protection, and the gentle threshold between life and remembrance.
The neck is accented with vertical painted lines, while the flat-topped mouth is decorated with radiating bands that echo the circular logic of the vessel itself. A single handle connects shoulder to neck, its curve functional yet expressive, guiding the eye upward toward the lekythos opening.
Gnathian ware, produced in South Italy during the late Classical and early Hellenistic periods, is distinguished by its use of added color on a black ground and its preference for elegant, symbolic imagery. Lekythoi of this type were commonly associated with oils and perfumes and often carried funerary associations, making their refined decoration particularly resonant. This example presents a compelling union of form and image, where ribbed structure, avian symbolism, and floral ornament work together to produce an object that is at once decorative, ceremonial, and quietly lyrical.
Provenance: East Coast collection, Fortuna Gallery, New York City, New York, USA; ex- Eames collection, Texas, acquired 1995; ex-private California collection assembled 1970s to 1980s
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#194001
- Condition: Professional repair to handle and some light surface wear with small chip to foot and minor nicks as shown. Firing flaw causes a slight tilt to spout. Otherwise, excellent presentation with nice remaining pigments and detail.
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