South Italian Pottery - Black Gloss Ware: Black Gloss Bowl

Inv. No.: 95.102
Provenance: South Italy (Metaponto)
Date: 4th century BC
Height: 33mm
Diameter: 131 mm (without handles), 169 mm (with handles)
 
This broad and shallow two-handled bowl or mug has a rounded body decorated with fine vertical moulded ribs. There is a narrow moulded ridge above the ribs and a fine groove below. The lip and the body are similar in height. The lip has a concave profile and a flaring rim. Below the ribs, the body curves in sharply to meet a low flaring foot. The double strap handles pass from the edge of the lip to the bottom of the ribbed section of the body. They turn out at each side where they attach to the lip. The interior has a flat bottom and convex walls. The vase is black inside and outside and has been re-assembled from a number of fragments with some infilling.

Function:
A dish or bowl for domestic use.

Manufacture:
A wheel-thrown and turned vase with hand-made handles and moulded decoration.

Bibliography:
Sparkes, B. A. and L. Talcott, The Athenian Agora: Volume XII. Black and Plain Pottery of the 6^th, 5^th and 4^th centuries BC: Part 1, Princeton, New Jersey, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 1970, "Mug", 70-76 (especially "Two-handled", 75).

Comparanda:
Kranz, P. and R. Lullies, Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, Deutschland 38, Kassel 2 (1975), Tafel 69, 8 (slightly taller, but very similar Campanian example; first half of 4^th century BC).

Sparkes, B. A. and L. Talcott, The Athenian Agora: Volume XII. Black and Plain Pottery of the 6^th, 5^th and 4^th centuries BC: Part 2, Princeton, New Jersey, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 1970, Plate 11, 228-230 (taller and narrower Attic examples).