Magna Graecia, Southern Italy, Apulia, ca. 340 to 325 BCE. A fine wheel-thrown lekanis with a shallow basin, pedestal foot, and lid beautifully decorated via the red-figure technique with 2 Ladies of Fashion, each adorned with fugitive white pigment creating elegant ornamentation. The lovely ladies are each dressed in a beaded saccos over an upswept coiffure and a beaded necklace. These ancient visages are separated by stylized palmettes. A series of vertical stripes adorns the outer periphery of the rim, meeting the black-painted body below. Twin applied loop handles protrude from either side of the raised bowl, while the large knob atop the lid displays a sunburst design on its depression. Lidded lekanides, like this example, were cosmetic containers, often given by fathers to brides on their wedding day. Interestingly, the lady of fashion motif complements this, as scholars believe they represented young women on their wedding day. Size: 3.7" Diameter x 4.1" H (9.4 cm x 10.4 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Howard T. Knapp collection, former NASA physicist, acquired from the 1960s to 1980s

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#181282

Both lekanis and lid are ancient, but may have not been originally paired with one another. Expected nicks and abrasions as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with great preservation of pigments. Areas of silvery iridescence to black glaze.