GNATHIAN BLACK-GLAZED POTTERY SKYPHOS

Ca. Mid 4th century BC. A black-glazed pottery skyphos of deep body with a tapered profile. The vessel features two horizontal handles for ease of handling and a circular foot for stability. The body of the skyphos is adorned with a bichrome decoration in white and yellow applied over a black-glazed surface. Below the rim, white chevron motifs embellish the space between the handles. This is followed by a band of irregularly shaped yellow blocks. Subsequently, a band featuring clusters in both white and yellow further contributes to the ornate detailing. The focal point of this cup is a large register decorated with vegetal tendrils. The design is then punctuated by a repetition of white chevrons, providing a sense of continuity and rhythm, and concluding with a yellow dotted line that adds a subtle yet refined finishing touch. Turning to the back of the vessel, chevrons below the rim echo the decorative motifs found on the front. In the centre, a prominent floral motif is flanked by two vine tendrils. For similar see, The Museum of Fine Arts, Inventory number 81.86.A. This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy. Size: 120mm x 160mm; Weight: 215g Provenance: Property of a central London gallery, previously acquired on the Dutch art market; Ex. Frederik Van Driel, Maastricht 1993. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.