Ancient Greek Pottery Kylix. 25 cm L. 4th century BC
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 2,400 - € 2,700
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Ancient Greek kylix, 25 cm wide at the handles and 7.5 cm high, dating to the 4th century BC, made of pottery with palmette engraving, in good condition with a crack at the base, authentic/original, acquired in 2025 from a private French collection.
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Description from the seller
Kylix engraved with palmettes
Ancient Greek, 4th century BC.
Pottery.
25 cm width at handles and 7,5 cm height
Provenance:
- Private collection, French aristocratic, from their Parisian apartment on Rue de l'Université, before 1960.
Condition: Good, crack at the base but not broken, see photos.
Black slipware ceramic with red reserve painted and engraved with palmettes, with a circle in reserve on an ochre background in the center of the cup.
The ceramic kylix cups of Magna Graecia represent a remarkable fusion of Greek artistic tradition and local Italic influences. A kylix was a wide, shallow drinking cup with two horizontal handles and a slender stem, primarily used during symposia, the social drinking gatherings central to Greek culture. In the colonies of southern Italy, these vessels were not only functional objects but also important artistic expressions.
Vegetal decoration played a significant role in the aesthetic language of these kylikes. Artists frequently painted elegant patterns of ivy leaves, vine tendrils, palmettes, and lotus flowers across the interior tondo and exterior surfaces. These plant motifs were closely associated with fertility, nature, and the god Dionysus, linking the act of drinking wine to symbolism of growth and vitality. The flowing vegetal designs often framed mythological scenes or appeared as independent ornamental bands, demonstrating balance and harmony in composition.
Crafted mainly in the red-figure technique, many kylikes from Magna Graecia display refined brushwork and dynamic curvature in their vegetal ornamentation. The combination of precise form, symbolic imagery, and natural motifs illustrates how these ceramic vessels embodied both daily life and spiritual meaning in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Seller's Story
IMPORTANT NOTES:
-We are a professional seller.
- All items sold will come with their professional invoice.
- All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity (warranty document), including the description, image and provenance of the item.
- All items will be shipped via private courier with insurance (DHL express, CORREOS of Spain, or other similar with tracking number).
- All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiques over 100 years old and their price valued.
- For shipping outside of EU: Delivery time subject to customs clearance. Liability and Customs Regulations or Import Requirements applicable in the destination country are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We are not responsible for delays caused by customs procedures. Import taxes and vat are not included in the shipping costs. The import tax or VAT payable depends on the country of destination. Payments of any taxes or any disputes with the Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
- For some of the items offered, for shipment outside the European Union it is necessary to obtain an Export Permit which will detail the payment by the buyer of Export Fees according to Spanish legislation. If it is necessary it will be mentioned in the description of the article, BECAUSE NOT IN ALL THE CASES IT IS LIKE THAT. These fees will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. From 6,001 to 60,000 euros: 10%.
This export permit application process can take between 1-2 months maximum.
- We guarantee that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property.
Translated by Google TranslateKylix engraved with palmettes
Ancient Greek, 4th century BC.
Pottery.
25 cm width at handles and 7,5 cm height
Provenance:
- Private collection, French aristocratic, from their Parisian apartment on Rue de l'Université, before 1960.
Condition: Good, crack at the base but not broken, see photos.
Black slipware ceramic with red reserve painted and engraved with palmettes, with a circle in reserve on an ochre background in the center of the cup.
The ceramic kylix cups of Magna Graecia represent a remarkable fusion of Greek artistic tradition and local Italic influences. A kylix was a wide, shallow drinking cup with two horizontal handles and a slender stem, primarily used during symposia, the social drinking gatherings central to Greek culture. In the colonies of southern Italy, these vessels were not only functional objects but also important artistic expressions.
Vegetal decoration played a significant role in the aesthetic language of these kylikes. Artists frequently painted elegant patterns of ivy leaves, vine tendrils, palmettes, and lotus flowers across the interior tondo and exterior surfaces. These plant motifs were closely associated with fertility, nature, and the god Dionysus, linking the act of drinking wine to symbolism of growth and vitality. The flowing vegetal designs often framed mythological scenes or appeared as independent ornamental bands, demonstrating balance and harmony in composition.
Crafted mainly in the red-figure technique, many kylikes from Magna Graecia display refined brushwork and dynamic curvature in their vegetal ornamentation. The combination of precise form, symbolic imagery, and natural motifs illustrates how these ceramic vessels embodied both daily life and spiritual meaning in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Seller's Story
IMPORTANT NOTES:
-We are a professional seller.
- All items sold will come with their professional invoice.
- All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity (warranty document), including the description, image and provenance of the item.
- All items will be shipped via private courier with insurance (DHL express, CORREOS of Spain, or other similar with tracking number).
- All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiques over 100 years old and their price valued.
- For shipping outside of EU: Delivery time subject to customs clearance. Liability and Customs Regulations or Import Requirements applicable in the destination country are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We are not responsible for delays caused by customs procedures. Import taxes and vat are not included in the shipping costs. The import tax or VAT payable depends on the country of destination. Payments of any taxes or any disputes with the Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
- For some of the items offered, for shipment outside the European Union it is necessary to obtain an Export Permit which will detail the payment by the buyer of Export Fees according to Spanish legislation. If it is necessary it will be mentioned in the description of the article, BECAUSE NOT IN ALL THE CASES IT IS LIKE THAT. These fees will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. From 6,001 to 60,000 euros: 10%.
This export permit application process can take between 1-2 months maximum.
- We guarantee that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Greek
Century/timeframe
4th century BC
Name of object
Kylix. 25 cm L. 4th century BC
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Pottery
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1960
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
