Ancient Greek, Magna Graecia Ceramic Net-Pattern Lekythos

Ancient Greek – Magna Graecia Net-Pattern Lekythos – 4th century BC

Description
Ancient Greek South Italian pottery lekythos with net-pattern decoration, Magna Graecia, 4th century BC, probably ca. 350–300 BC.

A small and attractive wheel-made pottery lekythos, formed with an elongated ovoid body resting on a low ring foot, rounded shoulders, narrow cylindrical neck and a distinctive flaring, funnel-shaped mouth.

The body is decorated with a freely executed black-painted reticulate or net pattern over the reserved reddish-orange surface. The neck and flaring mouth were partially covered with black glaze, now considerably worn and revealing the underlying ceramic fabric.

This type of reticulate decoration is well documented on small lekythoi and related vessels produced and circulated throughout Magna Graecia during the later 4th century BC. Comparable vessels are known from South Italian contexts, including Apulia and Campania, while related examples also circulated in Sicily.

The vessel originally possessed a single vertical handle joining the upper neck/mouth area to the shoulder, of which the attachment points remain visible.

Culture: Ancient Greek / Magna Graecia
Production: South Italian
Period: Late Classical – Early Hellenistic
Date: 4th century BC, probably ca. 350–300 BC
Material: Terracotta
Technique: Wheel-made, painted and partially black-glazed
Type: Net-pattern lekythos
Dimensions:
Height: 96 mm
Weight: 78 g

Condition:
Archaeological condition. The original handle is missing. The neck and mouth have been reattached following an ancient or later break, with the fracture line clearly visible. Extensive age-related wear and losses to the black glaze, particularly around the neck and mouth. Surface deposits, encrustations and abrasions throughout. The body is well preserved and the characteristic black-painted net decoration remains clearly legible.