Greek black-glaze kylix, Athens, c.450-400 BC
Terracotta
Height: 4.2cm, width between handles: 19.3cm
11948
£ 48,000
Further images
Stemless kylix, finely potted with incised decoration to the tondo showing a caricature of a male with enormous head short, receding hair, scrubby beard and a prominent up-tilted nose. He...
Stemless kylix, finely potted with incised decoration to the tondo showing a caricature of a male with enormous head
short, receding hair, scrubby beard and a prominent up-tilted nose. He has a rather thin body with an oversized phallus, and stands with his right hand raised, a spear cradled in his left, a Greek inscription written backwards reads AKRISIOS. A circular border frames the figure, a stamped key pattern is broken into four sections by four sets of four dots. A central dot and ring to the reserved underside. Recomposed, some misfiring to the handles and to a section of the bowl’s exterior.Though the cup is of typical form, the decoration is exceptionally rare.
Akrisios, a legendary king of Argos, was the father of Danaë and grandfather of the hero Perseus. Forewarned by a prophecy that his grandson would one day cause his death, he attempted to prevent it, but fate prevailed. Years later, Perseus unintentionally killed him during a discus-throwing contest. Akrisios was the son of Abas and Aglaia and the twin brother of Proetus.
Provenance
R.S.L. collection, London, UK; acquired prior to 1999Accompanied by letters from the relevant Greek and Italian authorities renouncing any current or future claim over this piece.
