About this sheet
Antique Greek Drinking Vessels & Cups Color Lithograph, 1883
Original antique color lithograph depicting a varied collection of ancient Greek drinking vessels and a ladle, published in Berlin in 1883 as part of Albert Genick’s monumental work on Greek ceramics.
This impressive landscape-format archaeological plate presents six different examples of ancient Greek drinking and serving vessels, accompanied by precise technical drawings recording details of their construction and ornament.
The plate is titled “1–5. Trinkgefässe. 6. Schöpfkelle,” identifying vessels 1 through 5 as drinking vessels and number 6 as a ladle or dipper.
At the center is a large two-handled drinking vessel with an elegantly restrained black body and dramatically rising handles. Surrounding it are several smaller cups and drinking vessels of contrasting forms.
The upper left vessel is particularly decorative, with elaborate scrolling ornament enriched with cream-white and terracotta details. Beside it is a tall-footed two-handled cup with delicately patterned decoration around the rim.
At upper right, the long-handled ladle or dipper is decorated with a classical figural scene including a prominent winged figure rendered in terracotta red against a black ground.
The smaller vessel at lower left is among the most richly decorated examples on the plate, featuring an animated figural or mythological composition in terracotta and black. The remaining vessels demonstrate the considerable variety of shapes employed for drinking and serving in the ancient Greek world.
Several fine archaeological line drawings illustrate handles, profiles and construction details, reflecting the scholarly purpose of Genick’s publication while adding further graphic interest to the composition.
The variety of forms and the balanced arrangement of six different vessels make this an especially attractive plate for collectors of classical art, ancient ceramics and archaeological illustration.
The print originates from the second edition of Albert Genick’s important publication on Greek ceramics, published by Ernst Wasmuth in Berlin in 1883. The complete work comprised 36 color lithographic plates, including four double-page plates, illustrating amphorae, kraters, drinking vessels, rhyta, bowls and other examples of ancient Greek ceramic art.
The lithographs were produced by the Berlin printing establishment Hein & Mosler. Albert Genick (1837–1906), a Berlin-trained architect, became particularly known for his precise graphic documentation of ancient ceramics. This publication is regarded as his principal work. Complete examples are rare, and individual plates from the series are increasingly difficult to find.
Creator: Albert Genick (1837–1906)
Printer: Hein & Mosler, Berlin
Plate: XXV
Title on plate: 1–5. Trinkgefässe. 6. Schöpfkelle.
Edition: Second edition
Sheet size: Approximately 46 x 68 cm (18.1 x 26.8 inches)
Orientation: Landscape
Period: Late 19th Century
Style: Neoclassical / Archaeological Revival
Very good antique condition. Strong black and terracotta coloring with cream-white and other decorative details remaining well preserved. Light age-related toning with scattered minor foxing and spotting, principally visible in the surrounding background and margins. Minor wear and slight irregularity along the sheet edges consistent with age. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.
An original antique lithograph printed in 1883, not a modern reproduction.
The print is offered unframed. Any framed or interior images, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.
Additional companion plates from Albert Genick’s series are available separately.
