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A magnificent, extremely rare and large ancient Greek Gnathian Skyphos, dating to approximately 300 B.C.
The skyphos is of typical form with disc base, tall flaring body and thick bilateral loop handles. The decoration on side A is most unusual and perhaps without parallel on a Gnathian ceramic; that of a Siren or Harpy.
The Siren was an ancient Greek mythological creature, with a female body and bird-like feet and wings. The Siren is depicted here in glorious Hellenistic style, in added white, gold, brown and red pigments. She is shown with beautiful face, her hair tightly curled and held above her head. She is depicted nude, wearing necklace, triple bracelet and holding a harp in her left hand and a long horn in her right. An elaborate flower lies to her right, a representation of the island of Anthemoessa ("flowery"), equivalent to modern-day Capri or Ischia, where the Sirens were believed to have lived.
Sirens are mentioned in Homer's Odyssey as highly dangerous temptresses, who could lure sailors to a watery grave with their beautiful singing. Homer tells that Odysseus was curious to hear the Sirens lovely song for himself, and ordered his sailors to plug their ears, tie him to the mast of the ship and sail past the perilous island. This story is depicted on a well-known fresco from Pompeii, now in the British Museum, London.1
Height: 10 3/4 inches.
Handle to handle diameter: 15 3/8 inches.
Condition: Excellent condition. Intact. Minor restoration to areas of the paintwork, particularly the ends of the wings.
Provenance: Ex. Private collection of a London Doctor. Ex. London Art Market. The piece is provided with a detailed thermoluminescence report by Ralph Kotalla Labs, Germany, confirming the authenticity of the piece.
References:
1 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/w/wall_painting_of_ulysses_and_t.aspx
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