Ancient Greek Terracotta Kantharos with Thermoluminescence Certificate, ca. 1st

This elegant terracotta kantharos, distinguished by its tall stem and gracefully arched twin handles, dates back approximately 2000 years, as confirmed by thermoluminescence analysis conducted by the Brussels Art Laboratory (certificate dated July 3, 2010; see images and translation provided).

The vessel’s deep black-gray surface, enriched with age-related mineral deposits and encrustations, reflects the refined ceramic traditions of ancient Greece. Standing 33 cm high with a width of 24.9 cm, it is notable for its harmonious proportions and austere yet noble aesthetic, making it both a significant collectible artifact and a striking decorative accent.

Condition: Good antique condition consistent with age and use. Surface wear, mineral deposits, and minor abrasions attest to its authenticity and long history. No evidence of modern restoration.

Provenance: Accompanied by a thermoluminescence dating certificate from Brussels Art Laboratory, confirming a last firing approximately 2000 years ago (margin of error ±25%).

A rare opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of classical antiquity — an object of timeless elegance, equally appealing to discerning collectors, connoisseurs, and interior designers.

TRANSLATION OF THE CERTIFICATE :
Brussels Art Laboratory
Nuclear Section – Institut Supérieur Industriel de Bruxelles

Certificate of Dating by Thermoluminescence

I, the undersigned, P.H. Laycock, art expert and specialist in laboratory techniques, approved by the Belgian Chamber of Experts in Judicial and Arbitration Missions, hereby declare that I have subjected the two-handled footed vase in grey clay, of Greek origin (photographed above, with the following precise dimensions: height = 330 mm; width = 249 mm), to thermoluminescence dating.

Based on this TL examination, I certify that the ceramic material, from which a sample was taken by us at the base of one of the handles, was last fired approximately 2000 years ago (margin of error: ± 25%).

Mean value: 10.21 Gy

Low value: 11.76 Gy

High value: 9.67 Gy

Notes:

All objects are subject to natural irradiation from the environment.

This irradiation is proportional to the time elapsed since the last firing.

The TL test measures the amount of irradiation received since the last firing.

The margin of error is ± 25%.

Objects having undergone restoration or heating may show altered results.

The TL test cannot determine the exact geographic origin of the object.

The certificate guarantees only the dating based on the TL test, not the authenticity of the object as a whole.

This document has been marked according to the patented “Laycock Marking Process.”

Issued in Brussels, in duplicate, in good faith and with the required scientific rigor, on 03/07/2010.