Ancient Minoan Lotus Flower Vase

‘’The fruitful isle of Crete, well known to fame,
Sacred of old to Jove’s imperial name,
In the mid-ocean lies, with large command,
And on its plains a hundred cities stand.’’
– Virgil, Aenead

Finely worked in the form of a blossoming flower, this exceptional serpentine vase was crafted at the height of the Minoan culture of Ancient Crete – one of the earliest great civilisations of Europe, renowned, both in their own day and ours, for the sophistication of their arts. The Minoans arduously carved vessels from a variety of stones, and favoured these blossom forms above all. Once lidded, they might have been used to store oils and ointments. The subtly carved ribbed petals are a testament to the Minoans’ love of nature, and a prime example of the delicate organic motifs which have come to characterise their rich artistic production.

“In the manufacture of stone vases, the Minoans displayed enormous patience, as well as very high levels of confidence and skill. It was a craft that evolved into an art form…”
Rodney Castleden, Minoans: Life in Bronze Age Crete (Routledge, 2002), p. 88

Provenance:
– From the collection of Charles Gillet (1879-1972).
– Subsequently in the collection of Marion Schuster.
– Subsequently Sotheby’s, New York, 7 December 2001, lot 58.
– Subsequently in the collection of nuclear physicist Heinrich Medicus (1918-2017).

Published:
– ArtAncient, Timeline (2019).