Campanian Fish Plate

Culture: Greek/Campanian

Period: 350-325 B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 19 cm in diameter

Price: Sold

Ref: 2277

Provenance: From an old Belgian collection, acquired in the 1970s or earlier.

Condition: Intact

Description: Magnificent fish plate on a set off ring foot with a protruding rim and an image area slightly inclining towards the centre. It depicts two breams with white abdomens, strong, white dotted dorsal fins and white pectoral fins. The eyes as black dots with white framing. Some scholars attribute this fish plate to the Helgoland Painter. Typical for the Helgoland Painter are the gills indicated in multiple stripes. A squid is depicted as the third sea dweller, impressively swinging its five tentacles. On the sides pulling two long white strings. The black eyes are large and elliptically formed, also framed in white. The body of the squid in white and black wave lines separated from the head, with white dots on the back and wavy white bordering. The image area is framed by encircling black dots on the outer edge. The black glazed central depression is diligently worked out and with a slightly raised rim profile. The rim of the plate is decorated with encircling band of wave. For the Helgoland Painter also see Christan Zindel, “Meeresleben und Jenseitsfahrt. Die Fischteller der Sammlung Florence Gottet“, 1998, p. 40 f. no. 10.