Hellenistic to Roman period, Fired ceramic / terracotta with glaze and painted decoration Greek Pottery Fragment with Depiction of a Hare – Hellenistic/Roman Period - 7 cm

Interesting fragment from an ancient ceramic vessel, preserving part of its original honey-yellow to ochre-yellow glazed surface with dark brown painted decoration.

The fragment originates from the wall of a larger vessel. Its pronounced curvature, clearly visible from the side, preserves the original shape of the vessel wall. A substantial part of the exterior decorative scheme remains intact.

At the centre is a circular medallion containing the stylised depiction of a hare, painted in dark brown against the yellow-glazed ground. Despite the fragmentary condition, the compact body of the animal and its characteristic upright ears remain clearly recognisable.

The hare was a familiar motif in the Greek visual world and appears in various contexts on pottery and other works of art. Depending on the context, it could be associated with hunting and nature as well as fertility, love and erotic symbolism. Due to the fragmentary preservation of the vessel, however, the precise original meaning of the present depiction cannot be determined with certainty.

Particularly attractive is the elaborate ornamental framing surrounding the central image. The medallion is bordered by several concentric decorative zones with dark brown lines and leaf-, drop- and scale-like motifs. A further narrow band contains interlocking or loop-like elements. The combination of the warm yellow-ochre ground and dark brown painted decoration creates a striking visual contrast.

The reddish-brown ceramic body is visible along the old break edges. Side views show both the thickness and original curvature of the vessel wall. Mineral and earthy deposits are present on the undecorated areas and reverse.

Fragment from a larger vessel. Old break edges throughout, age-related surface wear, minor chips and losses to the glaze, together with mineral deposits and encrustations. Significant areas of the painted decoration survive and the central animal motif remains clearly recognisable.

The display stand visible in the photographs is used for presentation purposes only and is not included in the sale.

Provenance:
Formerly in the Madeleine & Erich Dammann Collection, Germany. Acquired during the collectors’ extensive travels between 1950 and 1970. The collection has been documented in Germany since 1970 and remained in continuous family ownership thereafter. As was customary for private purchases made in local markets during the 1950s–1970s, purchase receipts or invoices were generally neither issued nor requested. The provenance is documented through continuous family ownership, historical photographs and supporting biographical records.