Attic Greek Red-Figure Kylix with a Hetaira

A hetaira, or Greek woman of pleasure, is featured in the tondo of this Kylix. She is nude except for a cap (a sakkos) in her hair and disk-shaped earrings. She holds a large olisbos (dildo) in her right hand, secured to her wrist by a strap added in red. With her left hand, she reaches towards its tip. The graceful movements of her body suggest that the young woman may be dancing to entertain symposiasts.

Largely preserved. Few fragments reassembled.

Art market, prior to 1984

Ex- Elie Borowski (1913-2003) collection, Canada, prior to 1984;

Christie’s, New York, 13 June 2000, lot 73.;

The Gilbert collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts, acquired in New York, 13 June 2000.

LEIPEN N., et al., Glimpses of Excellence, A Selection of Greek Vases and Bronzes from the Elie Borowski Collection, Toronto, 1984, p. 13, no. 9.;

KILMER M.F., Greek Erotica on Attic Red-Figure Vases, Duckworth, 1993, pp 99 and 242, no. R180.;

DIERICHS A., Erotik in der Kunst Griechenlands, Mainz am Rhein, 1983, p. 103, fig. 186.;

Christie’s, New York, 13 June 2000, lot 73.;

From Myth to Life: Images of Women from the Classical World, Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, Massachusetts, 12 March – 10 October 2004, p. 82-83, no. 32;

The Gilbert Collection: by Phoenix Ancient Art, New York, 2019, no. 123

The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, 18 December 1984 – 30 June 1985;

From Myth to Life: Images of Women from the Classical World, Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, Massachusetts, 12 March – 10 October 2004, p. 82-83, no. 32;

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, 12 February -31 July, 2005;

Tampa Museum of Art, Florida, 18 September – 3 December 2005;

La Biennale, Grand Palais, Paris, 11-17 September 2019;

PAD London, Berkeley Square, London, 30 September 6 – October 2019