Attic Black-figure Amphora of the Leagros Group

Culture: Greek/Attic

Period: 525-500 B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 45 cm high

Price: 28 000 Euro

Ref: 2515

Provenance: English private collection, acquired in the 1980s from La Reine Margot Paris.

Condition: Professionally reassembled from a few pieces with minor additions. From the outside hardly visible retouching. A magnificent, very large vase.

Description: Large Attic amphora decorated abundantly in black-figure technique. One side depicts the bearded Hermes with a long coat wearing a petasos. He is flanked by two nude dancing Satyrs. Above the god his staff, the caduceus with the two serpent heads. The Satyr facing to the right reaches out to the petasos on Hermes’ head, while a panther seems to bite in his tail on the back. A third Satyr bends down to the panther. The scene is flanked by palmettes and lotus blossoms. Above tongue decoration in red and black. At the bottom an encircling bud arch frieze and ray decoration. The other side depicts two warriors at a farewell scene. They wear lances, helmets and shields. A dog at their feet looks up to a woman with a long gown with a veil, possibly the mother of both warriors. To bid goodbye she raises her hand which is covered with a coat thrown over. Behind both warriors stands an elderly man, possibly their father, with a civic staff. He also wears a coat. The warriors seem to be brothers. While one with a Corinthian helmet with a high crest is clearly identified as a hoplite, the other one with a conical helmet could be an archer. The amphora is attributed to the Leagros Group, one of the last important workshops of the black-figure style, which is known for its large format images on vases.