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Erotic Ancient Greek Wine Cup with Painted Eyes

$48,652.78
£35,000
€41,338.37
CA$66,293.55
A$74,668.93
CHF 38,668.35
MX$906,824.60
NOK 491,177.56
SEK 465,923.36
DKK 308,441.12
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About the Item

A rare, erotic cup exemplifying the revelry and humour of ancient Greek culture, particularly within the context of symposia - the social drinking parties of the elite. This wine cup features two large eyes on the exterior, which, when tilted up to drink, humorously superimpose themselves onto the drinker’s face. At the same time, the act of drinking reveals the cup’s indecent imagery, perhaps adding an element of playful surprise. The front of the cup decorated with a squatting figure of a grotesque satyr, his head turned to the left, the reverse with a satyr committing an act of bestiality with a doe, the animal with its head turned back with a look of surprise, with a large eye to either side of each group and a sphinx seated below each handle, with incised, white and purple-painted details. Archaic Greece, circa 530 BC 29 cm wide PROVENANCE: A Fine Collection of Classical Antiquities, Part I, Christie’s, London, 10 July 1974, Lot 106 (pl.31) Collection of Stanley J. Seeger (1930-2011), acquired at the above sale Thence by descent
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.12 in (13 cm)Diameter: 11.42 in (29 cm)
  • Style:
    Classical Greek (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    530 BC
  • Condition:
    Repaired. Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 432991stDibs: LU1052243396312

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