A GREEK APULIAN TERRACOTTA OINOCHOE WITH LADIES OF

Circa 400 BC. Southern Italian. A beautiful terracotta oinochoe with flaring trefoil rim, elongated neck, sloping shoulder, egg-shaped body, cylindrical stem and ring foot; an applied, ear-shaped handle joins the rim, rising up before descending to re-join the vessel at the shoulder. The neck and handle are painted black with cream-coloured ribbing on the neck. One side of the body presents vegetal motifs while the other shows a female figure in profile with carefully detailed eyes, small, pursed mouth and prominent nose; her elaborate coiffure is bejewelled, and she wears pendular earrings. A wave frieze runs below these scenes. This vessel would have been used for serving wine both in domestic contexts and during religious rituals. Excellent condition. Provenance: Size: L:253mm / W:75mm ; 292gProvenance: From an important British collection of Mr. C.S.; originally acquired in the 1980s on the UK/European art markets.