The slender, one-handled ewers were discovered together and have now been consigned by an Austrian collector who acquired them from an Austrian dealer. In 1992 they were documented in a publication of the Institute of Classical Studies in London.
The main motif of the central vase depicts a warrior leading his horse, a woman holding a ewer and a libation bowl and a female servant. The motif can be interpreted as a scene of arrival or departure; the experts cannot agree. The other two vases show scenes of women preparing for their marriage.
The decoration of the ewers, which measure between 13-14in (33-35cm), is attributed to the so-called Baltimore painter, who is named after the location of a volute krater with portrayals of Hermes and possibly Persephone, belonging to the collection of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. The painter was not only highly accomplished, he was also very productive: about 1500 pieces have been attributed to him.
These ewers are estimated at €25,000-50,000.
