Hellenistic Bronze Situla

Culture: Greek

Period: 2nd century B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 22.5 cm x 27.7 cm

Price: Sold

Ref: 2229

Provenance: German private collection, acquired in the 1980s from the father of the last owner.

Condition: Except for oxidation traces intact.

Description: Pear-shaped, double-layered situla of two embossed bronze sheets with a flat, inwardly centred base with engraved concentric circles. On the shoulders are two extremely finely worked handle attachments in form of lion heads with mouths wide open and magnificent manes. The handle attachments have the function of a spout with five circular perforations on one side, on the other side one open and three closed perforations. Originating from the handle attachments are two semi-circular stirrup handles with multiple profiled endings. The rim is flat to enable the handles to lie levelled. Vessels like this were used to mix water and wine or to store liquids, especially for cult purposes. Bluish-green patina with numerous cuprite traces. See for a very similar example Christie’s auction London on 15 April 2015, lot 101. Literature: S. Boucher, Bronzes grecs, hellénistiques et étrusques, Lyon, 1970, pp. 132-134, no. 140.