An Attic Black-figured Lekythos, attributed to the Phanyllis Group B, circa 510-500 B.C.

decorated in front with a gesturing man wearing his himation drawn over his head and flanked by two hoplites in full armor each walking to left, a draped youth at each end facing in with a spear, linked palmettes on the shoulder, tongues below the neck, and scrolling vine on the shoulder.

Hôtel Drouot, Paris, Rollin et Feuardent, Antiquités, terres cuites et vases peints grecs provenant de la collection de M. Camille Lécuyer, May 5th-6th, 1905, no. 242 ("femme voilée entre deux hoplites; de chaque côté du groupe, un doryphore, Haut. 29 cm.")

Intact except for the mouth, which is reattached (break-line is visible in photo on left in catalogue) and repaired from several pieces with small restorations. There is also a thin vertical crack and small chips on the lip, the body covered with areas of light incrustation, most likely what would not come off during cleaning more than a century ago, thin gauge on top of foot probably pre-firing.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

There is a fragmentary label with partial lot number [.]42 on the body of the vase. The underside has two old French labels, one with blue meander edges written in pencil "Vente Lécuyer," the other with gilt edges, much abraded, and inscribed in blue pen "350. Lécythe..."

For a lekythos in Oslo of more traditional shape for the Phanyllis Group B, by the same hand, and with a closely related scene, see Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum: Norway, Public and Private Collections, Oslo, 1964, p. 25, pl. (22) 22.1-2 (www.beazley.ox.ac.uk/record/C2A8AF70-0395-4F2B-A6AF-F9BC97EB6C42). For two lekythoi in Athens related in shape to the present example and attributed to the Phanyllis Group B see C.H.E. Haspels, Attic Black-figured Lekythoi, Paris, 1936, p. 199, no. 14, pl. 19, 1 (same neck and steep shoulder), and p. 200, no. 23, pl. 19. 3 (same mouth).