LARGE GREEK BRONZE INSCRIBED HYDRIA Ca. 500 - 300 BC An elegant large Greek hammered bronze hydria. Hydrias frequently appeared in scenes of women carrying water from fountains.The rim of the vessel flares outward with the edge rolled down, the horizontal part of the rim is inscribed. The patina has beautiful blue, turquoise, and teal hues. The handles are ribbed and connect to the body of the vessel and are detailed with a circular geometric pattern. The two handles at the sides were used for lifting, while the handle at the back was used to dip and pour. However, bronze examples were not practically used, but rather were used solely in a funerary setting. For similar see: MET Museum Accession Number: 06.1078. Size: 380mm x 355mm; Weight: 3.7kg Provenance: Property of an Oxfordshire art professional; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1980s on the UK / International art markets. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy.