ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Etrusco-Corinthian Aryballos, Confronted Cocks Group, 560-550 BC

Extraordinary misfire with many cracks on the body, resulting from a faulty drying and firing process. The unusable vase was nonetheless put aside and sold for funeral purposes.

The ovoid body decorated with confronted cocks and a schematic tree between them. The lower frieze shows a panther with outspread wings; a bird behind.

The decoration is characteristic for the Confronted Cocks Group. For a related vase, cf. Beazley archive vase no. 1011193.

H. 15.5 cm (6.1 in)

Reconstituted from fragments. Challenging restoration aimed to recover the original, damaged appearance.

Swiss private collection M. P., in family possession since the early 1980s. Thence Swiss art market.

1650 USD