Description:
A lovely clay coloured vessel, called a lagynos. It consists of a bulbous, somewhat flattened, wide body with a wide shoulder, and a high cylindrical neck. There is a single vertical strap handle, profiled, that is bent at a relatively sharp angle and connects the shoulder and the upper part of the neck, reaching up to below the rim.
The lagynos was the most widespread and the most characteristic of the Hellenistic wares. It was a pitcher used to serve wine. This function is also mentioned in ancient sources.
Literature:
Robert Manuel Cook, Greek Painted Pottery (London and New York, Routledge, 3rd edition, 1997, reprinted 2002), p. 196-197.
Dating:
Greek, Hellenistic, 3rd - 1st century B.C.
Size:
Height: 17.3 cm.
Provenance:
Swiss private collection of Siegfried Schmidli, Biel, acquired 1971-1972.
Condition:
Intact with expected surface wear, minor scratching and other damage as shown; a small opening on the outside of the body is not a hole throught the whole wall of the vessel, but probably caused by an air bubble during firing.
Price:
€ 450
Stock number:
C1232