Lot 66I
Magna Graecia, southern Italy, near present day Ignazia, Gnathian, ca. 340 to 320 BCE. A fine terracotta skyphos, a deep drinking cup with twin horizontal handles, decorated in the distinctive Gnathian technique of added polychromy over a lustrous black glaze. The body is adorned with elegant white- and yellow-painted ornamentation: undulating vine tendrils form a rhythmic border beneath the rim, while cascading dotted garlands and vertical floral sprays descend along the walls. Additional dotted bands circle the lower body, balancing the composition. Gnathian ware takes its name from the ancient city of Gnathia (modern Egnazia) in Apulia, a major center of South Italian pottery production during the 4th century BCE. Unlike the earlier red-figure tradition, Gnathian vessels are characterized by their glossy black grounds enlivened with added colors - white, red, and yellow - applied after firing. Size: 10.4" L x 7" W x 5.5" H (26.4 cm x 17.8 cm x 14 cm)
These decorations often feature vegetal patterns, theatrical masks, and Dionysian themes suited to vessels used for wine consumption and symposia. Skyphoi such as this example would have served both practical and convivial purposes, linking the drinker to the wider Mediterranean culture of feasting, theater, and ritual. The restrained yet lively design reflects the artistry of Apulian workshops, whose works were traded throughout Southern Italy and beyond.
Provenance: private Great Barrington, Massachusetts, USA collection, 1995 to 2005 or via inheritance; ex-Edgar L. Owen Ltd.
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#197447
- Condition: Possible restoration to handles. Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over some break lines and chipping and small losses along other, visible break lines. Expected surface wear with a few nicks in areas. Nice remaining pigments and detail.
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