69 - APULIAN RED FIGURE FISH PLATE

APULIAN RED FIGURE FISH PLATE APULIA, 4TH CENTURY B.C. painted terracotta, of pinakion form, depicting a dolphin, squid and bream, as well as three conch shells and two clam shells; with a dip in the centre, the rim decorated with a line of laurels, the underside adorned with concentric black bands 22cm diameter Provenance: Private collection, Europe; Sold Cabral Moncada Leilões, Portuguese Painting, Works of Art, Coins and Silver, 22nd -25th November 2004, Lot 328 Private collection, Portugal, acquired from the above For a close comparison, please see: I. McPhee and A. D. Trendall, Addenda to Greek Red-figured Fish Plates, Basel, 1990, pl.10, no. 3. Plates decorated with fish, such as this example, were commonly produced in Apulia by various workshops. The survival of many of these plates is owed to their burial in funerary contexts. Whilst it is likely that they were used in daily life and subsequently buried, it is equally possible that the fish decoration was intended to serve as a symbolic offering to the deceased. The sunken tondo in the centre of the dish supports theories for both use in life and death, since it could have been used to hold sauce for dipping, or for oil as a graveside offering.