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Ruth Garrido Vila

ITEM: Nestoris
MATERIAL: Pottery, Xenon-ware
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: Apulian, 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 57 mm x 62 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Dutch private collection, acquired before 2000s

The Nestoris is a distinctive form of ancient Greek pottery that is primarily associated with the production centers of South Italy, particularly the region of Lucania (modern Basilicata) during the Late Classical and early Hellenistic periods (roughly 4th century BCE). Unlike most South Italian vase shapes, which were directly inspired by Attic (Athenian) models, the nestoris is an indigenous shape that developed from the local Messapian trozzella vase. Its name, meaning "belonging to Nestor," was a later, mistaken attribution based on a cup described in Homer's Iliad; however, the actual vessel is a tall, two-handled jar.

The key distinguishing features of the nestoris are its form and handles. It is typically a deep vessel with a broad, rounded body, a narrow neck, and a flaring rim, set on a ring foot or low pedestal. Crucially, it has two sets of handles. The most prominent are the tall, upswung vertical handles that rise well above the rim, often composed of two straps connected by struts and frequently decorated with characteristic molded discs or trozzelle at the tops and sometimes halfway up. In addition to these, many nestorides have a second, smaller pair of horizontal, rolled handles on the body below the shoulder.

Most surviving examples of the nestoris are decorated in the Red-figure technique, featuring figural scenes in the natural red-orange color of the clay against a black-gloss background. The decoration often covers multiple registers on both the neck and the main body, frequently depicting mythological narratives, scenes of warriors preparing for battle, or Dionysiac revelries with stock figures like satyrs and nymphs. Given that many nestorides have been found in graves, particularly in Lucanian burial contexts, it is believed that these beautifully decorated vessels served a significant funerary function, perhaps as containers for liquids or as elaborate grave goods for the deceased.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and European Union export license

If you bid outside European Union and win the item, we must request a new export license to your country and the shipment will delay between 3 - 5 weeks.


4th Century B.C

Ancient Greek Pottery Nestoris

Whisky

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12 July

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Italy

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Country of origin

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England

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Bottle size

70cl

700ml

75cl

1 Litre

750ml

50cl

20cl

2 Litres

35cl

75.7cl

1.14 Litres

1.5 Litres

180ml

1.75 Ltr.

33.3cl

37.5cl

Material

Leather

Metal

Plastic

Wood

Glass

Condition

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

As new - unused

Period

1970s

1980s

1990s

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2000s

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1960s

1950s

2020+

1990-2000

2000-2010

Style

Contemporary

Design

Colour

Multicolour

Brown

Gold

Green

Turquoise

Alcohol Percent List

57.1%

47.2%

47.8%

50.8%

45.8%

48.3%

Alcohol % unknown

48.5%

51.4%

58.4%

45.7%

46.5%

55.7%

58.7%

After 2000

1900-2000

Original/ Replica

Original/official

Tested and working

Bottler

Signatory Vintage

Suntory

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Douglas Laing

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