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Artworks
Alabaster Kraters , c.1800 (sold)
A FINE PAIR OF ITALIAN GRAND TOUR ALABASTER VOLUTE KRATERS, CIRCA 1800
These rare vases derive their shape from the Greek volute Kraters used as mixing vases for water and wine. The earliest date from around 600 B.C and were traditionally made in terracotta and then painted with scenes of feasting, mythological events, and allegorical vignettes. By the Roman times, craftsmen utilised the shape but in marble and semi-precious hard-stones with relief carved scenes. Excavations in the late 18th century and early 19th century had brought rediscovery of these Roman vases to the attention and delight of collectors and travellers on the Grand Tour: Most notable were the krater with dancing figures in the Borghese collection, the Townley Vase, and the Sosibios Vase.
In this pair of vases the craftsmen has chosen to cherish for posterity the colour and beauty of the stone itself, with carved further embellishment deemed unnecessary.
Comparison with the Faustino Corsi collection at Oxford would suggest that the stone is close to what Corsi called Alabastro di Palombara but with inclusion of further richer reds of iron oxides.
Height: 67cm
Width: 30cm (handle to handle)
Base: 19cm squareFurther images
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