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Ruth Garrido Vila

ITEM: Olpe
MATERIAL: Pottery, Gnathia ware
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 100 mm x 142 mm
CONDITION: Good condition, repaired
PROVENANCE: Ex Spanish private collection, Ex Emeritus collection (USA), collected from the 1950’s to the 1980’s by a distinguished university professor who served as Department head, Dean and Vice President of a major university.

The Greek kantharos is a deep drinking cup with high-swung handles that rise above the rim, associated closely with Dionysus, the god of wine, and often used in ritual or symposiastic contexts. In the context of Gnathia ware—produced in southern Italy during the 4th to 3rd centuries BCE—the kantharos was transformed from a purely utilitarian vessel into a refined piece of ceramic art. Gnathia ware is noted for its glossy black glaze and the application of added colors (white, yellow, red, and sometimes green) to create delicate polychrome designs that contrast strikingly with the dark background.

Gnathia kantharoi retain the classical shape with tall, looping handles and a rounded or occasionally angular bowl, but their decoration is more ornate than their mainland Greek counterparts. The embellishment is typically limited to the upper portions of the vessel, such as the rim and the space between the handles, leaving the rest of the body in unadorned black glaze. Common decorative themes include ivy garlands, theatrical masks, winged Erotes, and scenes of Dionysiac revelry—imagery that aligns well with the symbolic associations of the kantharos and the Dionysian cult. The use of added pigments and fine linework demonstrates both technical skill and a desire for visual elegance.

As an artefact, the Gnathia ware kantharos illustrates the blending of Greek religious symbolism with Italic aesthetic preferences. Its production in Apulia and neighboring regions reflects the influence of Greek colonists and the spread of Hellenic culture into Magna Graecia. 

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 - Unknown

Ancient Greek Pottery Kantharos

Archaeology

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