Greek Canosan Polychrome Volute Krater w/ Medusa Masks

Magna Graecia, South Italy, ca. 4th to 3rd century BCE. Among the most impressive Canosan volute kraters we have had the honor of handling, this vessel presents a classic form with twin handles presenting Medusa mask termini modeled in relief on both the obverse and reverse, and a finely painted decorative program - overall with a white slip ground that is meticulously embellished with pink, white, red, and blue imagery. Adorning the neck is a female bust of the goddess Athena/Minerva emerging from scrolling flowering foliage. Above Athena is a register of flowers and below a register of ovalo. The body of the vessel presents the goddess donning a blue cloak and a beaded kekryphalos in her auburn hair, standing in composite profile with arms extended toward a pair of opposing male figures, perhaps gods or mythological warriors. All is supported by a raised pedestal foot. Size: 10.2" W x 18" H (25.9 cm x 45.7 cm)

Canosa - Canusion, in antiquity - was a major center of the ceramics and pottery trade when it was a Greek polis. It produced truly unique pottery, completely different in decoration style (although not in shape) from earlier and neighboring traditions. The clay is buff, with the decoration applied directly to it without the use of slip; the pink, blue, and red here are among the coveted colors found on these vessels. The hole in the bottom of the vase signifies that this was made solely for funerary purposes (and it's quite cool to look inside and see the clay that was pushed up through the bottom to form a hole). In ancient Greek practice, a bottomless vase like this was placed over a grave and offerings like wine were poured straight through it. Others, like this one, were never used but were buried in the tomb beside the deceased to evoke this custom. The funerary theme of the piece also indicates that it was made solely for burial purposes.

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000

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#155867
Condition Report: Remarkably intact, with great deposits on the surface in both interior and exterior. Nice preservation of pigment and motifs as shown.