Ancient Corinthian Lidded Pyxis - Ancient Greece (Corinth), c 550 BC
Eastern Mediterranean (Corinth, late Orientalizing Period) c. 550 BC: A well-formed terracotta storage jar with a globular body, two handles, low foot, short neck and flared rim. The central decorative band is extensively embellished with Orientalized designs of a winged Sphinx, Roaring Lion and two Waterfowl in red, brown and white line separations – distinctive sixth century BC designs, when Corinthian art imported Near Eastern mythology, iconography and symbolism. The piece retains its conical knobbed lid. Additional linear painting is found on the lid, and four bold red and brown bands embellish the lower body.
Complete and intact, with extensive burial deposits and some flaking to the applied pigments.
Provenance: ex Midwestern US collection, formerly in a German collection prior to 1972
Height: 5 7/8 inches - Width: 4 3/8 inches
