Magna Graecia, South Italic, Campania, ca. 4th century BCE. An exceptional black glazed terracotta guttus vessel with a lioness head spout dramatically emerging from one side. The form consists of a characteristically low, rounded body upon a flat circular foot. Following the contours of the body are incised vertical frets to resemble ribs. A looped handle rises from the shoulder, at a right angle to the lion's head presenting an open mouth to serve as the spout. A very rare example of a blackware guttus with a wild feline spout! Size: 4.8" L x 5.1" W x 3.6" H (12.2 cm x 13 cm x 9.1 cm)

Similar vessels can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (64.11.5a, b and 96.18.35) and the British Museum (1998,1214.1 and 1814,0704.636).

Another blackware guttus with a lion's head spout hammered for 4,000 GBP (equivalent to about $6,124 on that date) as lot 101 at Christie's London on October 6th, 2011 (Live Auction 2390).

Provenance: private Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA collection; ex-Minerva Gallery; ex-Benjamin Vega, California, USA, acquired in 2006 to 2007; ex-Gene and Virginia George, brought to the USA from 1961 to 1966

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#177937

Stable hairline fissure near base of handle, as well as a few minor nicks and abrasions to surface, but otherwise intact and excellent with nice preservation of detail. Beautiful luster to glaze.