oldgræsk Keramik sortglaseret oinochoe - 124 mm

"Ancient Greek Black-Glazed Oinochoe

Culture / Period: Ancient Greek, Classical Period
Date / Period: 5th–4th century B.C.
Material: Pottery
Dimensions: 124 mm x 90 mm
Condition: Good condition

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Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 8

The current owner purchased this Ancient Greek black-glazed oinochoe from a private collector, N.N., Utrecht, the Netherlands.
The previous owner, a private collector, N.N. from Utrecht, stated that the object had been in his collection since an unknown date.
According to the previous owner, the object had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1970s.
No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:
This vessel is an Ancient Greek black-glazed oinochoe, a pouring jug used for wine, water, and other liquids in both domestic and ceremonial settings. The form is characterised by its single handle, rounded body, and trefoil mouth, which allowed for a controlled and practical flow when pouring. Oinochoai were essential elements of Greek tableware and played an important role in the serving of drink during meals, banquets, and symposia.

Within the Classical Greek world, vessels of this type belonged to a well-established ceramic tradition in which function and appearance were carefully balanced. Black-glazed pottery became especially prominent from the 5th century B.C. onward and reflects the technical skill of Greek potters working within organised workshop traditions. The glossy dark surface was achieved through a refined firing process rather than applied paint, demonstrating a sophisticated command of kiln atmosphere and ceramic production.

An oinochoe such as this would have formed part of the wider equipment used in the preparation and serving of wine, a central feature of Greek social life. In the symposium, wine was typically mixed and served according to established customs, and vessels with specific functions were used in sequence. The oinochoe occupied a practical place within this setting, acting as the intermediary vessel from which liquids could be poured into drinking cups or other containers. It could also be used in household and ritual contexts, where the controlled pouring of liquids was required.

The black-glazed finish gave such pottery a refined and restrained appearance, at times echoing the visual effect of metal vessels while remaining more accessible in ceramic form. This places the object within a broader tradition of Greek craftsmanship in which pottery was produced not merely for utility, but with close attention to proportion, surface, and typology. Greek ceramics of this kind circulated widely through trade and cultural exchange across the Mediterranean."