Ancient Greek Pottery Skyphos - 9×13.5×7.5 cm - (1)

TITLE: Skyphos\t CULTURE: Greek PERIOD: 4tn Century BC MATERIAL: Pottery SIZE: Height 9 cm PROVENANCE: Private collection A. P. , Hamburg, Germany. Acquired during the 1960s. CONDITION: Good condition. DESCRIPTION: A skyphos is a two-handled deep wine-cup on a low base or none. The handles may be small horizontal ear-shaped thumbholds that project from the rim, or they may be loop handles at the rim or that stand away from the lower part of the body. Skyphoi of the type called glaux (owl) have one horizontal and one vertical thumbhold handle. The earliest examples of skyphoi are from the Geometric period. They were also made of precious metals. This is a typical piece of ceramic ware that can easily be related to the so-called “Gnathian” production, and more precisely to the ancient town of Egnazia, on the coast of modern day Puglia (the designation is inappropriate and dates to the 19th century) . Such vessels were produced in southern Italy for some one hundred years, from the mid-fourth century BC until late in the following century. With their glossy black glaze, and the frequent presence of gadroons, they tend to imitate metal ware. The decorative patterns (figural, vegetal and most often geometric) were applied to the black painted surface and highlighted in white, brownish/gold yellow and, more rarely, purple – as beautifully exemplified here.