Ancient Greek Terracotta Libation Bowl with Omphalos

Object Description

A beautiful Ancient Greek terracotta libation bowl with a distinctive omphalos. The bowl features a wide shallow body with a curving base and an inward folded rim. A central medallion is adorned with a low relief floral decoration encapsulated within concentric circles. The raise boss in the middle, the Greek term ‘omphalos’, is hollow and the protrusion can be seen from the reverse. There are two small perforations towards the rim, and a third in the centre of the omphalos. The surface of the rim is covered with white earthly encrustations.

Date: Circa 4th Century BC

Object History

Ex property of a North London gentleman; from a European collection, France, bought in Paris in the 1990’s

Object Condition

Very fine condition. Some white encrustation to the surface with the majority visible around the rim. There are some fine hairline cracks around the central medallion and the base of the omphalos.

Object Details