HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.

The Greeks used gold, silver and bronze for practical household objects. Bronze vessels, most commonly hammered from sheet, would have then been decorated in relief, incised or with additions cast in the round and added on. A multitude of vessel shapes in the Greek world mostly followed ceramic vessel patterns, including water jars, kraters, drinking cups, libation bowls, pails, foot baths on stands, jars, jugs and plates. Complete bronze vessels, such as this basin, are rare survivors - the main body more fragile than the cast feet or handles which were more robust. The elegant shape of the above vessel, with a deep hemispherical bowl and a concave upper part with flaring rim, is reminiscent of phiales and bowls of Achaemenid origin. For a similar shape basin see acc. no 1924.73 in the Harvard Art Museum. The cast handles have vine leaf-shaped attachment plates, most likely chosen for this particular vessel shape as an indication of its use in a dining room - perhaps for mixing wine. For another bronze handle with vine leaf decoration see acc. no 1972.118.89, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Sydney Ernest Kennedy (1855-1933) was a stockbroker, senior trustee of the London Stock Exchange and avid art collector who was predominantly known for his outstanding collection of Chinese ceramics. He lived at 24 Upper Brook Street, London and when he decided to dispose of the house his art collections were sold at Christie's - firstly in 1916 and with a second sale in 1918, which included this vessel.