Egyptian

Figural flask of an embracing couple

Dark greyish-black glazed terracotta
Alexandria, Egypt, Late Ptolemaic to Early Roman Period, ca. 1st century BC/AD
H. 9.5cm

A very rare flask depicting an embracing African couple. The reverse side shows their shrunken arms and in the height of their heads a short Ionian column. A true collectors item.

Published in Kunst der Antike aus Privatbesitz Bern-Biel-Solothurn, 1967, no. 144; LIMC V, no. 154, pl. 509.

Condition: fragmentary but very good

Provenance: ex. Swiss private collection, bought in Alexandria, from Dr. Puy-H. Aubert, 1961.

Item reference: EG1215