Greek olpe

Greek olpe
ITEM: Olpe
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 66 mm x 65 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Dutch private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1990

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

The Greek olpe is a type of pottery vessel used primarily for pouring liquids, such as wine or water, and is characterized by its distinctive shape. Typically, an olpe has a tall, cylindrical body that tapers slightly towards the top, a high, narrow neck, and a trefoil mouth, which is designed with three spouts or lobes to facilitate controlled pouring. The vessel usually has a single handle attached vertically from the top of the neck to the body, allowing for easy handling. Originating in the Geometric period (c. 900-700 BCE), the olpe became particularly popular during the Archaic (c. 700-480 BCE) and Classical (c. 480-323 BCE) periods of ancient Greece.

The decoration of olpai (plural for olpe) reflects the artistic styles and motifs prevalent in their respective periods. In the Geometric period, olpai were often adorned with linear patterns, meanders, and geometric shapes. As Greek pottery evolved, so did the decoration on these vessels. During the Archaic period, black-figure technique became prominent, featuring silhouetted figures painted in black slip on the natural red clay background. Scenes depicted on olpai from this period often included mythological narratives, daily life activities, and animal friezes. In the later Classical period, the red-figure technique, where the background was painted black and the figures left in red, allowed for greater detail and realism in the depiction of human figures and complex scenes.

The Greek olpe was not only a functional object but also held social and ceremonial significance. In domestic settings, it was used during symposia, which were social gatherings where wine played a central role in fostering intellectual discussions and entertainment. The olpe’s elegant shape and intricate decoration made it a suitable vessel for such occasions, symbolizing the host’s wealth and cultural refinement. Additionally, olpai were used in religious and funerary contexts, often as offerings to gods or as grave goods.

Measurement:

6.5 x 6.6 cm