061
Greek skyphos with graffiti
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Bids do not include VAT, buyer’s premium or delivery.
By confirming your bid, you agree that you have read and accepted the-saleroom.com and the auctioneer's terms and conditions. Confirming your bid is a legally binding obligation to purchase and pay for the lot should your bid be successful.
Please note: you can manage your bids before the auction starts in My Saleroom.
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek, Attic
PERIOD: 5th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 44 mm x 160 mm x 103 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, P.A., Munich, acquired from a German private collection before 2000s
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.
Greek pottery with graffiti provides a fascinating lens into the everyday lives, thoughts, and social dynamics of ancient Greeks. Pottery was used extensively across Greek society, from simple cups and jars to intricately decorated amphorae. While most surviving Greek pottery is celebrated for its exquisite painted scenes and fine craftsmanship, some pieces also carry graffiti, offering a unique glimpse into the more personal, unfiltered side of ancient life. Graffiti on pottery—often scratched, incised, or painted after the pot was fired—could range from simple names, ownership marks, and prices to playful messages, crude jokes, and even snippets of poetry. These inscriptions hint at the interactions between individuals in marketplaces, homes, and social gatherings, bringing a lively, human element to what would otherwise be silent artifacts.
Much of the graffiti found on pottery falls into two main categories: ownership marks and dedications. In marketplaces and public gatherings, where pottery was bought, sold, and heavily circulated, marking one's vessel could serve practical purposes. People often scratched their names or initials onto drinking cups, for example, to claim ownership or differentiate them from others. In some cases, especially in sanctuaries, individuals would leave inscriptions on pottery as offerings to the gods. These dedications could be as simple as “I am the cup of X,” denoting the owner or the deity to whom the vessel was dedicated. Such graffiti helps scholars understand the personalization of everyday objects in Greek society and offers clues to the names, identities, and social behaviors of individuals from all walks of life.
Some Greek pottery graffiti, however, is less formal and provides hints of humor, competition, or rivalry. In symposium settings, where drinking vessels were shared among a social group, people might inscribe playful taunts, boasts of drinking prowess, or even love messages on cups and kraters. This form of graffiti brings ancient personalities to life, showing that humor, camaraderie, and even conflict were as much a part of ancient Greek life as they are today. Occasionally, merchants would also inscribe prices or advertising slogans on vessels, pointing to the commercial practices surrounding pottery.
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek, Attic
PERIOD: 5th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 44 mm x 160 mm x 103 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, P.A., Munich, acquired from a German private collection before 2000s
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.
Greek pottery with graffiti provides a fascinating lens into the everyday lives, thoughts, and social dynamics of ancient Greeks. Pottery was used extensively across Greek society, from simple cups and jars to intricately decorated amphorae. While most surviving Greek pottery is celebrated for its exquisite painted scenes and fine craftsmanship, some pieces also carry graffiti, offering a unique glimpse into the more personal, unfiltered side of ancient life. Graffiti on pottery—often scratched, incised, or painted after the pot was fired—could range from simple names, ownership marks, and prices to playful messages, crude jokes, and even snippets of poetry. These inscriptions hint at the interactions between individuals in marketplaces, homes, and social gatherings, bringing a lively, human element to what would otherwise be silent artifacts.
Much of the graffiti found on pottery falls into two main categories: ownership marks and dedications. In marketplaces and public gatherings, where pottery was bought, sold, and heavily circulated, marking one's vessel could serve practical purposes. People often scratched their names or initials onto drinking cups, for example, to claim ownership or differentiate them from others. In some cases, especially in sanctuaries, individuals would leave inscriptions on pottery as offerings to the gods. These dedications could be as simple as “I am the cup of X,” denoting the owner or the deity to whom the vessel was dedicated. Such graffiti helps scholars understand the personalization of everyday objects in Greek society and offers clues to the names, identities, and social behaviors of individuals from all walks of life.
Some Greek pottery graffiti, however, is less formal and provides hints of humor, competition, or rivalry. In symposium settings, where drinking vessels were shared among a social group, people might inscribe playful taunts, boasts of drinking prowess, or even love messages on cups and kraters. This form of graffiti brings ancient personalities to life, showing that humor, camaraderie, and even conflict were as much a part of ancient Greek life as they are today. Occasionally, merchants would also inscribe prices or advertising slogans on vessels, pointing to the commercial practices surrounding pottery.
Auction 5 - Charity Auction 2024
Sale Date(s)
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3. EXPORT LICENSES: All pieces have the corresponding export license to be shipped out of Spain.
3.1 For bidders from the European Union, it is not necessary to apply for any additional export license, as the one included in the piece is valid.
3.2 For bidders outside the European Union it will be necessary to apply again for an export license for your country, this usually takes from 4 weeks to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the auction price. This cost will be added to the final price of each lot purchased.
8. The shipment, in general, take place within the three days following the receipt of payment, except in cases of agreement between both parties, in which case the client will be informed of the exact date and the means of dispatch. In the case where the country of destination is not Europe, the dispatching of the piece will take place in the same conditions stated, but counting from the receipt of the corresponding export permission issued by the Spanish authorities.
8.1. If you win more than one item, we can do a combined shipment and you will not be charged extra for it, unless one of the pieces won makes shipping more expensive.
8.2. Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value. For shipments outside Europe, customs and duties may apply upon entry in to customer country, and this fee, if any, is the buyer’s responsibility. We will not falsify customs value on international shipments! If you have questions about this, please inquire before bidding.
8.3. As a guideline, for a small parcel, our courier and insured shipping rates are: 9,95 € for Spain, 24,95 € for Europe, England and Switzerland and 39,95 € for America and Asia. If its a medium parcel, 9,95 € for Spain, 24,95 € for Europe, England and Switzerland and 69,95 € for America and Asia. In case it is large, heavy or for a value of more than 1000 euros may be increased slightly from the rates shown.
8.4 For pieces that are very fragile or very large in size/weight and that can only be shipped within the European Union, United Kingdom and neighbouring countries that can be transported by road will be shipped by private courier (door to door) and the price will be 350 euros, 100 euros for Spain.
Important Information
Charity Auction 2024, 4% of hammer price will go to the Food Bank and Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Ancient Art at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Affordable in-house shipping.
Terms & Conditions
1. All ancient items offered for sale have been acquired strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO’s heritage norms, and guaranteed to be as described.
2. Our cataloguings, descriptions and certificates has been carried in accordance with their professional experience, previous investigation and checking against similar pieces catalogued in public collections, private collections or to be found in the art market.
3. EXPORT LICENSES: All pieces have the corresponding export license to be shipped out of Spain.
3.1 For bidders from the European Union, it is not necessary to apply for any additional export license, as the one included in the piece is valid.
3.2 For bidders outside the European Union it will be necessary to apply again for an export license for your country, this usually takes from 4 weeks to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the auction price. This cost will be added to the final price of each lot purchased.
4. The bidder guarantees payment for the item(s). In case of discrepancy, the lot or lots may be offered for sale again.
5. All lots will sell to the highest bidder without hidden or confidential reserves. Prices marked as estimates (both minimum and maximum) are for reference only. The hammer price may be higher or lower depending on the demand.
6. PAYMENT POLICY: To provide a seamless bidder checkout, all winning lots will be invoiced through the system the bidder has chosen for the live auction, unless bidder chooses to pay Your Antiquarian directly via credit card (MasterCard or Visa), PayPal or Bank Wire Transfer. If bidder chooses to pay Your Antiquarian directly, bidder must contact us to arrange payment. Payments not made within 15 days of auction’s end will forfeit bidder’s right to purchase said item(s), with item(s) relisted to next appropriate auction.
6.1 If the customer wishes to pay through our website, we will generate a payment link and the customer can choose the payment method that is most suitable, payment by Credit Card (MasterCard, Visa or American Express), Bank Transfer or PayPal. Payment with PayPal is subject to an increase of 3% of the invoice.
7. BUYER’S PREMIUM: A 8% Buyer’s Premium will be added to the final price of each lot purchased.
8. The shipment, in general, take place within the three days following the receipt of payment, except in cases of agreement between both parties, in which case the client will be informed of the exact date and the means of dispatch. In the case where the country of destination is not Europe, the dispatching of the piece will take place in the same conditions stated, but counting from the receipt of the corresponding export permission issued by the Spanish authorities.
8.1. If you win more than one item, we can do a combined shipment and you will not be charged extra for it, unless one of the pieces won makes shipping more expensive.
8.2. Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value. For shipments outside Europe, customs and duties may apply upon entry in to customer country, and this fee, if any, is the buyer’s responsibility. We will not falsify customs value on international shipments! If you have questions about this, please inquire before bidding.
8.3. As a guideline, for a small parcel, our courier and insured shipping rates are: 9,95 € for Spain, 24,95 € for Europe, England and Switzerland and 39,95 € for America and Asia. If its a medium parcel, 9,95 € for Spain, 24,95 € for Europe, England and Switzerland and 69,95 € for America and Asia. In case it is large, heavy or for a value of more than 1000 euros may be increased slightly from the rates shown.
8.4 For pieces that are very fragile or very large in size/weight and that can only be shipped within the European Union, United Kingdom and neighbouring countries that can be transported by road will be shipped by private courier (door to door) and the price will be 350 euros, 100 euros for Spain.
9. RETURN POLICY: We have a no quibble 90 days return policy. We accept returns for any reason within 90 days of you receiving your item. The item(s) must returned in the same conditions in which the received (no damage or deterioration). The expenses that could derive from the return (transport, insurance, etc) will be at the expense of the buyer.
10. On the prevention of money laundering or terrorist financing, according with directive (EU) 2015/849 and 2018/843, all clients will be asked to provide proof of identification (valid passport, driving license, ID card and a proof of address) when purchasing or selling art works valued 10.000 € or more in a single or linked transaction. If you represent a company you will need to provide details of directors, evidence of incorporation and the ultimate beneficial owners.
11. QUESTIONS: For any questions, before / during and after the auction, feel free to email us: admin@yourantiquarian.com or a Whatsapp to the number +34 644811359. We will be happy to help you in any way we can.
Last update: September 28th, 2024