Description

Attic black figure lekythos with a charioteer driving a biga (two-horse racing chariot ) in opposite direction of possibly Athena driving a biga. On the right a small and faint doric or ionic column. Most likely setting the scene. 

On the shoulder tongues or lotus buds, and on the side a meander pattern.

Positive Thermoluminescence-test with samples on the body and shoulder.

Black-figure pottery is one of the most iconic styles of ancient Greek vase painting, and it played a central role in Greek art from roughly the 7th to the early 5th century BCE. Black-figure pottery is a technique where figures and motifs are painted in a slip that turns black during firing, while the background remains the natural red color of the clay.  Details were incised into the black slip with a sharp tool, allowing the red clay beneath to show through, creating fine lines for anatomy, clothing folds, or decorative patterns. Additional colors like white and red could also be added for details (e.g., for women’s skin, clothing, or decorative elements). It was used on almost all vase types: amphorae, kraters, kylixes (drinking cups), lekythoi (oil flasks), and aryballoi (small perfume bottles).

Culture

Greek, Attic

Dating

500 - 400 B.C.

Size

19,5 cm

Provenance

Dutch collection. Bought at auction house Gorny & Mosch, with German export license. 

Ex private collection G.S. Niedersachsen, Germany. since 1966 in family collection. 

Condition

Fair condition, body reassembled and restored.