An Attic Black-figured Skyphos, attributed to the CHC Group, circa 500-490 B.C.

painted on each side with a scene from the Athenian Festival of the Lenaia, a mask of Dionysos on a pole flanked by two women playing the double flute looking out and two female dancers, dotted vine in the field, tongues above the foot, a dot within two circles under the base, the details in added white and red.

William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951), San Simeon, California, inv. no. SSW 9516

Generally very good. On the side not shown, a 1.75 by 2.75 inch rectangular fragment of the rim appears to be reattached with no losses along the joins. From there a shallow vertical stress crack extends a few more inches down into the body of the vessel. Some of the tongues above the foot on the side not show appear to be either faded or covered in a thin layer of light accretions. Most of the added white has flaked off the figures in the painted scenes. Glaze abraded on top of one handle. Very minor chips and abrasions overall. (The catalogue description does not mention that there is a reserved circular area at the bottom of the vase painted with a dotted circle.) There are no visible areas of overpainting anywhere on the vase.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a recent study of vases depicting the Lenaia see F. Frontisi-Ducroux, Le dieu-masque: une figure du Dionysos d'Athènes, Paris, 1991.