Pelike Greek, Gnathia, 4th Century BC MATERIAL: Pottery DIMENSIONS: Height 19.5 cm PROVENANCE: Swiss private collection since the end of the 1960s. Report made on 02/23/1981. CONDITION: Good condition, intact. DESCRIPTION: A Gnathian tall blackware trefoil lip oinochoe with bulbous body, waisted neck, pedestal base, pinched rim and strap handle to the rear; the neck and shoulder decorated with bands of ovolo and vineleaf ornaments. This is a typical piece of ceramic ware that can easily be related to the so-called “Gnathian” production, and more precisely to the ancient town of Egnazia, on the coast of modern day Puglia (the designation is inappropriate and dates to the 19th century). Such vessels were produced in southern Italy for some one hundred years, from the mid-fourth century BC until late in the following century. With their glossy black glaze, and the frequent presence of gadroons, they tend to imitate metal ware. The decorative patterns (figural, vegetal and most often geometric) were applied to the black painted surface and highlighted in white, brownish/gold yellow and, more rarely, purple – as beautifully exemplified here. Notes: - The piece includes authenticity certificate. - The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union). - The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.