BOWL WITH RED FIGURES Black glazed terracotta with red reserves. Chipped edges and missing foot. Diameter of handles: 20.5 cm Greece, Attica, 5th century BC Provenance Private collection, Dax Private collection from Fancaise, acquired at auction, Côte Basque Encheres in January 2025 In the centre of the bowl, in the tondo, is a nude athlete depicted in motion, holding a staff (probably a javelin or akontion). The figure is elegantly rendered in the red-figure style, with precise anatomical details drawn in black. The athlete is framed by a decorative band of Greek meanders interspersed with crosses, a classic geometric motif in Attic ceramics. The outside of the bowl shows a scene of a palestra or athletic competition around the bowl. Four naked athletes are depicted in action, in various dynamic poses evoking sports training or competition. The figures are treated with the naturalism characteristic of the classical period: muscular anatomy, balanced poses, precise athletic gestures. Between the two handles, on either side, are large stylised palmettes with scrolls, a recurring decorative plant motif in Greek ceramics. These finely traced palmettes create a visual rhythm and balance the figurative composition. The scene represents the world of the palestra (gymnasium) and athletics, a favourite theme in 5th century BC Attic ceramics. The ideal of the athletic body, youth and sporting competition was central to classical Greek culture. Kylixes decorated with athletic scenes were popular at aristocratic symposia (banquets), where they were used to drink wine mixed with water. A Greek Attic Red-Figured Kylix. c. 480-450 BCE. At the centre of the cup, in the circular medallion (tondo), appears a nude athlete depicted in motion, holding a staff (probably a javelin or akontion). The figure is elegantly rendered in red-figure style, with precise anatomical details drawn in black line. The athlete is framed by a decorative band of meanders (Greek key pattern) interspersed with crosses, a classic geometric motif of Attic pottery. The outer face of the cup presents a palaestra or athletic competition scene unfolding around the bowl. Four nude athletes are depicted in full action, in various dynamic poses evoking sports training or competition. The figures are treated with the naturalism characteristic of the Classical period: muscular anatomy, balanced poses, precise athletic gestures. Between the two handles, on either side, are arranged large stylized palmettes with volutes, a recurrent decorative vegetal motif in Greek pottery. These finely drawn palmettes create visual rhythm and balance the figurative composition. The scene represents the world of the palaestra (gymnasium) and athletics, a favoured theme of 5th-century BC Attic pottery. The ideal of the athletic body, youth, and sporting competition occupied a central place in Classical Greek culture. Kylix decorated with athletic scenes were appreciated during symposia (aristocratic banquets), where they were used to drink wine mixed with water.