980 - Byzantine bronze amphora, 5th–7th centuries A.D.

Byzantine bronze amphora, 5th–7th centuries A.D. The original flat base, 17.5 cm wide, is no longer preserved. Above it is the cylindrical foot, only 2 cm high. This is followed by the body, which initially flares outward and then tapers upward to a height of 25 cm. There, an angular break leads to the slightly curved shoulder, which tapers upward toward the nearly cylindrical, also slightly curved neck. On the neck is a separately crafted, horizontally projecting rim ring cast in one piece with the handles, which is soldered to the flared opening of the sheet-metal neck. The body is entirely covered with horizontal flutes approximately 1.5 cm wide; the shoulder features flutes running perpendicular to these of the same width; the lower part of the neck has a step, and above it six horizontal grooves that divide the lower and middle sections into five narrow bands. The rim band on the upper exterior features a beaded edge, with beads each having a diameter of approximately 6 mm. The square-shaped handle curves slightly upward and bends back toward the keyhole-shaped attachments; it is soldered to these. The casting imitates four pairs of intertwined cords. The upper arch of the handle is covered by two smooth, round-bar-shaped ridges, which are held in place at the outer end by two U-shaped “clamps.” At the other end, in front of the mouth ring, is a circular band, crowned by a sphere. The surface is slightly dented in various places due to use, but otherwise intact. Total height 49.2 cm. CULTURAL HERITAGE! Provenance: French private collection. Acquired from Gorny & Mosch, Munich, June 24, 2008, Auction 168. Previously in the collection of Axel Guttmann (1944–2001). Condition: II–III