Greek Kylix depicting a Swan

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Greek Kylix depicting a Swan

About the Item

The kylix comes with an international Certificate of Authenticity. This very elegantly shaped Ancient Greek pottery is called ‘kylix’ and is the most common type of wine-drinking cups. The primary use for the kylix was drinking at a symposium or male "drinking party" in the Ancient Greek world. This causes that they are often decorated with scenes of a humorous, light-hearted, or sexual nature. Different to our today’s cups, the specific shape allowed a wine consumption while resting horizontally on a banquet bed which was the case in the symposia. It also enabled them to play kottabos, a game played by flinging wine lees at targets. The kylix has a broad, relatively shallow, body raised on a flat stem from a rounded foot. The two fine horizontal straight out handles are hovering u pat their ends and are disposed symmetrically. The almost flat interior circle of the base of the cup, called the tondo, was generally the primary surface for painted decoration. It depicts the representation of a swan (Zeus) surrounded by a meander of oilve leaves. Leda – the Spartan Queen - and the Swan is a story and subject in art from Ancient Greek mythology in which the god Zeus, in the form of a swan successfully seduces Leda. As the representations would be covered with wine, the scene would only be revealed in stages as the wine was drained. They were often designed with this in mind, with scenes created so that they would surprise or titillate the drinker as they were revealed. This kylix prominently displaying the story of Leda and Zeus, has a very subtle erotic overtone. The outside of the kylix is decorated with a second band of olive branches. Due to the wide use of olive oil, the olive tree was a source of wealth and power, and therefore played an important role in the culture of ancient Greece, it was even considered a divine tree. The fine drinking cup is in good restored condition reasambled from five large pieces with some minor color restoration to the olive leaves painting at the right side. Usually, most objects of this kind are more or less restored. The kylix is stabile and displays nicely in an upright position. It has a lovely story to tell which reveals the high sophistication of Ancient Greece. Provenance: Ex private collection. Detailed provenance upon request.

Dimensions:
Height: 1.58 in (4 cm)Diameter: 7.49 in (19 cm)
Style:
Classical Greek (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Pottery,Painted
Place of Origin:
Greece
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
350-330 BC
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
Seller Location:
Berlin, DE
Reference Number:
Seller: GRT1141stDibs: LU3721311051343