Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux
Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 2
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Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux
Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 2
Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 3
Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 4
Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 5
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Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 8
Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 9
Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux
Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 2 Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 3 Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 4 Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 5 Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 6 Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 7 Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 8 Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux, view 9

Greek Attic Red Figure Owl Skyphos Glaux

17420

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Athens, Greece, circa 450 to 400 BC

A small pottery drinking cup of the distinctive type known as a glaux (Greek: γλαῦξ, literally "owl"), fashioned from fine Attic clay and decorated in the red-figure technique. The deep hemispherical body rises from a low ring foot to a plain rim, fitted with one vertical loop handle and one horizontal loop handle — the characteristic handle arrangement that distinguishes the glaux form from the standard two-handled skyphos.

Each side bears the canonical owl motif: a frontal-facing owl with large, wide-set circular eyes and dotted breast feathers, rendered in the reserved red-figure technique against a black-glaze ground. The owl stands between two upright olive sprays with elongated leaves. The interior is entirely black-glazed.

The owl and olive branch together are the emblems of the goddess Athena and the city-state of Athens. The motif directly mirrors the reverse of Athenian silver tetradrachm coinage, making these vessels unmistakable markers of Athenian civic identity. During the 5th century BC, Athens produced large numbers of these owl skyphoi, exporting them throughout the Greek world including southern Italy and Etruria.

The base is reserved (unglazed terracotta) with a central black dot and concentric circle, with a black band near the foot ring,  a standard feature of the type.

Size: Height 3 inches (7.8 cm); Width 6¼ inches (15.9 cm) handle to handle

Retains the original Sotheby Parke Bernet yellow lot tag marked "SPB 124".

Provenance: Property from a New York City collection; purchased Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, May 2, 1975, Sale 3753, Lot 124 (listed in catalog as "Skyphos"); accompanied by original lot tag and invoice. The invoice shows the piece was purchased for $200.00

Every object is guaranteed authentic and as described, and has been legally acquired and imported in accordance with U.S. and applicable foreign regulations on the movement and sale of antiquities. A signed certificate of authenticity with a description and photograph accompanies this object. Any restoration is described on the invoice.

Free shipping within the United States on most pieces; oversized works are quoted at checkout. Insurance is available on request. We pack and ship ourselves, usually within two business days. International shipping by USPS or DHL is calculated at checkout; if your country is not listed, write to us. Customs forms state the full value; international buyers are responsible for duties and taxes.

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