Ancient Greek – Magna Graecia Black-Glazed Echinus Bowl / Saltcellar – 4th century BC Description Ancient Greek black-glazed pottery echinus bowl or saltcellar, Magna Graecia, South Italy, 4th century BC, probably second half of the century. A finely potted small bowl characterized by a broad, shallow body with strongly thickened and inward-curving echinus rim, resting on a low ring foot. The vessel is covered with a lustrous black glaze, now partially worn through age and use, revealing the reddish terracotta fabric beneath. The underside presents an attractive reserved decoration composed of concentric bands around the centre of the base. Small bowls and saltcellars of this general form were widely used within the Greek world during the Classical and early Hellenistic periods. Comparable black-glazed echinus bowls were also produced by local and regional workshops in Magna Graecia during the 4th century BC. Archaeological material from Velia records small bowls with echinus rims in contexts particularly around 330–300 BC. The compact proportions of the present example are consistent with the small echinus bowl/saltcellar family; published examples show considerable variation in diameter and profile. Culture: Ancient Greek / Magna Graecia Production: South Italy, possibly Campania Period: Late Classical – Early Hellenistic Date: 4th century BC, probably ca. 350–300 BC Material: Terracotta Technique: Wheel-made, black glazed Type: Echinus bowl / saltcellar Dimensions: Height: 26 mm Diameter: 87 mm Weight: 80 g Condition: Complete and in good archaeological condition. Considerable age-related wear and losses to the black glaze, particularly within the bowl and along the rim, exposing areas of the reddish ceramic body. Surface deposits and minor abrasions consistent with age and archaeological preservation. The concentric decoration beneath the base remains clearly visible.