Classical World, Magna Graecia, Southern Italy, Campania, ca. 4th century BCE. A black-glazed pottery guttos (oil pouring vessel) of a characteristically squat, rounded form with a single trumpet-shaped spout, and a ring-like handle attached to the upper wall. It stands upon a pronounced foot and as its central disc has a high relief Silenus head. A guttos like this one would have been used for holding precious oil to fill lamps. It has an overall iridescent black sheen that was deliberately designed to remind the viewer of glass or silver. Size: 5.2" W x 4.8" H (13.2 cm x 12.2 cm)

Silenus, the tutor and later follower of Dionysus, is always depicted as an older man with a large, full beard. The consumption of wine was an important social ritual in Greek society and Silenus is a common figure whose likeness signified the owner's affiliation with the cult of Dionysus.

Provenance: ex-Private British Collection

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#121163

Intact, with some surface deposits and tiny losses to glaze.