Two Attic Head-Vases of the Cook Group in Leyden

Abstract

The larger piece of the two Attic head-vases belonging to the Leyden Antiquities Museum which has been reproduced here under (a-b) x)was acquired as early as June 1899, when it was bought from the Greek dealer Christo Marionaky who at the time was just staying at Leyden. Said to have been found at Eretria on the island of Euboea. Height with handle 16.5 cm. The ground-colour of the clay is a pale yellowish brown. Most of the details are clear on the photographs. Intact, but for a few chips at mouth and standingsurface. The surface shows some chafing and flaking (especially at the left eye), as well as some whitish and brownish dirt-incrustations in places. The vase is in the shape of a woman's head in strictly frontal position. Trefoil mouth, upturned handle, the latter appearing circular in section. Part of the black fired into a brownish hue, especially at the back. Interior of mouth and neck black. At the nape on the exterior, the black is overlapping the uppermost portion of the neck. Three rows of clay-dots for rendering the curls of hair framing the forehead. The clay-dots show no black, but instead have received a treatment of miltos (red paint). Wreath with undulating stalk and small somewhat triangular leaves: the whole indicating ivy, painted in white (much effaced now) going around the head. White has been used for the outer part of the eyes, too. The nostrils are marked off with touches of miltos. There is no such red at the mouth. Black zone at the base of neck. Undersurface reserved, as is the interior of the vase below the neck. In spite of some blemish as to its present state of preservation, this may still be ranked as a very attractive vase.