Greece, Canosan Hellenistic Period, ca. 3rd century BCE. A gorgeous pottery applique, excellently preserved, from a volute krater. These are tall vases with symmetrical handles that curl upwards to tower over the rim. This applique would have been on the front of one of those towering curls. It shows a face, probably the face of a Gorgon, one of the monstrous mythological women with hair made of writhing, venemous snakes. These terrifying figures, whose gaze could turn men to stone, were very common Greek images, and the South Italic artisan who created this used a mold to do so, suggesting that they were commonly produced. Canosa - Canusion, in antiquity - was a major center of the ceramics and pottery trade when it was a Greek polis. It produced truly unique pottery, completely different in decoration style (although not in shape) from earlier and neighboring traditions. The clay is buff, with the decoration applied directly to it without the use of slip. The beautiful white, pink, and blue pigment that remains here are hallmarks of Canosan pottery. Size: 2.8" W x 3" H (7.1 cm x 7.6 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private Orange County, CA collection

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#118142

Slight wear to figure and paint, really excellent condition. Has been removed from a vessel.