RARE APULIAN RED FIGURE OLPE BY THE PAINTER OF BARI 12061

Ca. 400 - 300 BC A red-figure Apulian pottery olpe, attributed to the painter of Bari 12061 or his group. The vessel has an inverted pear-shaped body and a short, splayed foot. It has a funnel-shaped neck with a flanged mouth and a large vertical handle at the back that facilitates pouring and holding the vase. The rim of the ople is completely black. Beneath the handles, there is a large fan-shaped palmette flanked by stylised plant scrolls on each side. The neck is decorated with an owl, flanked by vertical palmette motifs on each side. On the body of the vessel there is an offering scene, in which a naked man or god, wearing soft drapery around his arm, is holding a mirror in his left hand and a long thyrsus in his right. His muscles are perfectly proportioned and well-designed. Behind him, there is a young Satyr holding a vessel by its handle. In front of the naked man, there is a seated woman or Lady of Fashion under the shadow of a parasol held by a slave on her back. She is adorned with a shaped diadem, pearl necklace, and earrings, and is holding a large patera in front of her. Behind her, the slave is dressed in a long Kitone cloak and is adorned with a necklace, earrings, belt, and bracelets. For similar see: Trendall, 1983, Plate III, n. 1; Christie's, Live Auction 19992, Antiquities, Lot. 20.
Size: 340mm x 190mm; Weight: 1.5kg
Provenance: Private London collection, acquired on the Dutch art market; previously acquired on the German art market; E. Hoppe, Frankfurt, 1982. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.
This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy.
Estimate: GBP 3000 - 6000