Editor’s Pick
Curated for the Curious Collector
🌿 Provenance
Unearthed during an impromptu roadside stop on a winding mountain pass in Epirus, Northern Greece, not far from the Albanian border. The seller — an elderly man with a cigarette permanently fixed to his lower lip — claimed the vase was once part of a monastery’s ceremonial offerings, used in processions during the feast of a long-forgotten local saint.
He insisted it had stood for decades on a windowsill inside the Monastery of Panagia Molivdoskepasti, catching candlelight and absorbing whispers. Whether this is true is part of the object’s appeal.
What we do know: it's a replica, presumably made between the 1960s and 1980s during a wave of post-war neoclassical revival crafts in Greece — often intended for export or local tourism. It later found its way to Milan via a Dutch ethnographer with a taste for objects that straddle the line between truth and tale.
✨ Description & Function
This sculptural piece features an elegantly tapered body with embossed warrior figures, ornate serpent-like handles, and a rich, naturally weathered patina in shades of turquoise and bronze. Its surface tells a layered story: one of oxidation, rainfall, and time — imagined or otherwise.
Use it as a decorative vessel, conversation piece, or a solo object on a plinth. It bridges kitsch and class in just the right proportions.
🌍 Origin & Production
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Region: Epirus, Greece
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Marked: “Made in Greece – Copper” on base
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Replica, presumably produced 1960s–1980s
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Crafted in the tradition of neoclassical tourist revival art
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One-of-a-kind character thanks to its aged patina and rough artisan finish
🧪 Material & Finish
Cast from solid copper with low-relief detailing of mythological or heroic figures. The surface is covered in a verdigris patina ranging from deep jade to pale aqua, with flecks of rust and bronze.
Patina appears to have developed naturally over time, with no artificial polish or restoration.
📏 Dimensions
🔍 Condition
Very good vintage condition for a replica.
Some irregularities around the handle base — possibly from aging, or the manufacturing process itself. Surface marks consistent with age and intent. The patina is textured, uneven, and deliciously authentic-looking.
🎁 Styling Tip
Display solo on a stone plinth or in front of an urban skyline view. Pairs well with brutalist textures, aged mirrors, or sculptural dried branches. Especially striking in interiors that flirt with high taste and high irony.
🚚 Shipping Info
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Ships from Italy
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Carefully packed in double cardboard and bubble wrap
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Tracked shipping to NL from €13 via Poste Italiane
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Express shipping (DHL/UPS) on request
