Epikisis. Magna Grecia, Gnathia, 4th century BC. Ceramics. Provenance: private collection J. S. Barcelona, Spain, focused on the study and collecting of Greek ceramics. Intact. Excellent luster of the firing in the black color. Measurements: 17 cm (height). Epikisis of Magna Grecia made in ceramic and decorated with geometric and vegetal motifs in white, red and yellow on dark background. The epiquisis was a closed container, for oil, ointments or other liquids, also used to pour the wine and to transfer a liquid from a big vessel to another vessel. Different sources speak of bronze epiquisis and others used to pour oil into lamps, but it will be Varron who provides the most explicit references: he indicates that this typology replaced the Roman guttus with the introduction of Greek fashions in Rome. It was possibly, therefore, the Greek equivalent of the Latin guttus. Gnathia wares are a type of pottery belonging to ancient Apulian painting of the 4th century B.C. They owe their name to the ancient city of Gnathia (now Egnazia) in eastern Apulia. There, the first examples of the style were discovered in the mid-19th century. Its production began in Apulia around 370/360 BC, paralleling the local version of the red-figure style that developed trends toward polychromy at that time. Gnathia vases are characterized by the application of different paints directly on the body of the vase. The subjects depicted include erotes, images of women's lives, theatrical scenes and Dionysian motifs. Painting was often limited to the upper half of the vase body, while the lower half often had only ornamental decoration. The most common forms were bells, pelicans, oinochoai and skyphos.