Pair of Amphoras with Red-Figure - Bologne Group - Magna Graecia - Bernard Buffet collection (340 BC - 320 BC)

A nice pair of Apulian vases in terracotta with flared neck, semi-elongated belly and narrow base on a piedouche, two handles connecting the neck to the shoulder.

Red-Figure on black with highlights of white paint waterproof. The neck is decorated with two lines of olive leaves. A palmette motif below each handle and a frieze of Greek motifs at the bottom of the belly frame the scenes.

-Amphora “A”: on one side, a standing man to the left and a woman to the right onoring a stele; on the other side, two draped youths facing each other each hold a staff.

Amphora “B”: the same scenes but the man and woman are inverted, and the man holds some grapes. On the other side only one of the men holds a staff.

These vases are certainly belonging to the Bologne Group. The iridescence of the black parts is the result of one of the three phases of what is known as firing “in reducing atmosphere” during the course of which the black distemper coating certain areas vitrifies and becomes shiny.

The style of the Red-Figure appeared in Athens around 530-520 BC and quickly stood out as the only great school of the classic period. The red figure allows an improvement in the drawings which gain in realism.

Magna Graecia (Apulia, present-day Puglia and Campania) produced quality pottery comparable to that of Athens to the point the Greek cities would import many pieces of that kind from its Italian colonies.

Museography: A similar vase is at Le Louvre, under Pseudo Panathénaique, 340-320 B.C with the same iconography, Collection Campana, Sully 1er et. Vitrine 9, room 47

Test of thermoluminescence confirms the dating.

Cultural Passport delivered by French Ministry of Culture, n°140825. Certificate from seller to be seen on Vendor website (log in to see Vendor info)

Listed in Collection object registry (Livre de Police) under N°422