Ancient Greek Pottery Skyphos, Spanish Export License (No Reserve Price)

ITEM: Skyphos
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 36 mm x 135 mm
CONDITION: Good condition.
PROVENANCE: Ex Swiss private collection, acquired since at least 1970s

The Greek skyphos is a type of drinking cup that was widely used in ancient Greece, especially during the 6th to 4th centuries BCE. Characterized by its deep, bowl-like shape with a wide, rounded body and two horizontally oriented handles, the skyphos was designed for practical use in drinking wine, water, or other liquids. Its design, with a low, broad profile, made it particularly suitable for holding and drinking from, and it was a common vessel in symposiums and other social gatherings where beverages were enjoyed.

Skyphoi were often decorated with intricate designs and motifs, reflecting the artistic preferences of the period. The decoration typically included geometric patterns, mythological scenes, or representations of daily life, executed in the black-figure or red-figure pottery techniques. In the black-figure technique, figures and patterns were painted in a slip that turned black during firing, while the red-figure technique involved leaving the figures in red against a black background. These decorations not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the skyphos but also served to convey cultural and social messages, such as affiliations with certain deities or participation in particular rituals.

The widespread use of skyphoi in various contexts, including domestic, public, and ceremonial settings, underscores their importance in Greek daily life and social practices. Archaeological finds of skyphoi from symposiums, homes, and even graves reveal their role in both everyday activities and ritual practices.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and European Union export license

If you bid outside European Union and win the item, we must request a new export license to your country and the shipment will delay between 3 - 5 weeks.