ATTIC BLACK-FIGURE OINOCHOE WITH 'THE RETURN OF HEPHAESTUS'

Ca. 540-520 BC
An Attic black-figure trefoil oinochoe, distinguished by its depiction of Hephaistos' ascent to Olympus astride an ithyphallic mule or donkey. The figure is flanked by two satyrs labouring under the weight of substantial sacks. The vessel's elegant composition is exemplified by its bulbous body, gracefully poised upon a concave circular foot, whilst the trefoil spout permits fluidity of pouring in three directions. A strap handle, distinguished by its ribbed surface, adorns the reverse, culminating in a Dionysian head relief that seamlessly melds with the rim. For an item with a similar scene see: Sotheby's, Antiquities, 8th June 2011, Lot 24. This item comes with a professional historical report from Ancient Report Specialists." with "A limestone relief from a false door or lintel consisting of a rectangular body inscribed with the offering formula: Hnt nfr ntrw dw=f imi(t) nb taw(y) dsr prt hrw. Translating: Foremost Great God, who is in his hill, lord of the two lands, a holy voice offering. The text possibly refers to Anubis or Khentiamentiu, the "Foremost of the Westeners", or "Chief of the Westeners". The term "Westeners" refers to the dead. The offering formula is normally found inscribed into or painted in funerary stelae such as false doors, even coffins, and other funerary-related objects. For similar see: The Metropolitan Museum, 64.100; and Ziegler, Christiane 1999. "Nonroyal Statuary." In Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, p. 66. "
Size: L:285mm / W:145mm ; 735g
Provenance: London private collection; formerly in Nottingham private collection since the 1980s. This item has been checked against the Art Loss Register database.
Estimate: GBP 6000 - 9000