Antique Ewer with a Handle in the Shape of a Bird’s Leg, a Torqued Neck and a Crayfish Central in the Decoration of the Body, from a series of Vases after the Antique
Enea Vico Italian
Not on view
Antique ewer with a handle in the shape of a bird’s leg and a torqued neck. The body of the vase is divided in two friezes. The top is characterized by two female hybrid sphinx figures, their lower bodies morph into tales that intertwine. The lower tier is characterized by a crayfish from which a slim garland runs to the side where it is attached to satyr masks. From a series of vase designs after the Antique, first published by Enea Vico in 1543, and later included in a composite series with other designs by Agostino Veneziano by Antonio Lafreri dated circa 1573 based on its presence in Lafreri’s catalogue.