Magna Graecia, Sicily, Paestan (in Greek Poseidonia), ca. late 5th to 4th century BCE. An outstanding red-figure neck amphora with hallmark characteristics of the Paestan style. Side A features a standing Dionysos - god of wine, pleasure, ritual madness, ecstasy, and theatre - nude save the beautiful floral/grape patterned cloak attached at his neck with a black and white clasp billowing over his shoulders, the ivy leaf wreath in his wavy hair, and sandals. He holds a thyrsus in his left hand and a floral/berried vine in his right hand, which he is about to place on an altar below. Side B features an elegant Maenad standing in composite profile, dressed an voluminous chiton and himation; bedecked with a radiate stephane adorning her curly coiffure, a beaded 'grape cluster' necklace and matching drop earrings, and several bracelets; she holds a flower blossom or grape cluster in her right hand and a casket in her left. On each side of the neck is a lovely Lady of Fashion profiled head flanked by floral motifs. Amphorae possessing such rich iconography, exemplary form, and fine painting technique were created by the leading artists of the period. Size: 7.25" W handlespan x 14.25" H (18.4 cm x 36.2 cm) Adding to the decorative program, the field complements the figural imagery with a band of tongues followed by ovalo on the shoulder, a lower register of repeating wave motifs, and lovely stylized palmettes with emerging trumpet-shaped flowers - akin to Paestan Asteas flowers - below the twin handles. The Paestan style is one of five red-figure fabrics that developed in Magna Graecia inspired by pottery that had been made in Athens since the later 6th century BCE and was admired by the Greek colonists of South Italy and Sicily. The beginning of red-figure painting in Sicily is still being sorted out by scholars; however, the high point of production of Paestan vase painting occurred from 360 to 310 BCE. According to expert Ian McPhee, Paestan vases are "painted with scenes involving mythical or divine figures or those drawn from everyday life using the red-figure technique in which the figures and floral are reserved in the typically orange clay and the background is covered with a thin clay slip that fires black. These vases were not made for export but for local needs and are, with few exceptions, found only at Paestum and at neighboring sites within a relatively restricted area. The fired clay of Paestan vases is usually quite distinctive: it often has a rich orange color, though at times this is muted to a light brown, and normally it is full of shiny specks of mica." (Ian McPhee, "A Paestan Vase by Python: In memory of Dale Trendall," Art Journal 46, National Gallery of Victoria, 2006.) This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase. Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Christie's All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #135431