Daunian Terracotta Kantharos

Ca. 400-300 BC. Daunian. A large Daunian terracotta kantharos in a cream fabric decorated with several painted bands of red and brown decoration which run horizontally around the body, the lowest of which displays rhomboids. Two strap handles are attached to the globular body and to the flared, everted rim, and are flanked by further rhomboid decoration; linear decoration inscribed in a circle can be found underneath the flat bottom. The Daunians were famed for their beautiful geometric pottery, which was hand-formed, rather than made by wheel, and decorated in both bichrome and polychrome palettes. In later periods, their decorative technique expanded to include crudely rendered figures and animals. For a similarly shaped Daunian kantharos, see https: //www. christies. com/lot/lot-six-italic-pottery-vessels-apulia-circa-late-4026003/? from=searchresults&int. Object. ID=4026003. For a comprehensive treatment of Daunian pottery, see De Juliis, E. M. (1977) . La ceramica geometrica della Daunia. Firenze: G. C. Sansoni. Size: L: 250mm / W: 255mm ; 2. 4kg. Provenance: From the private collection of a Kent gentleman; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1990s on the UK /European art markets.