Southern Italy, Canosan, ca. 3rd century BCE. This remarkable vessel is composed of two ovoid jars, symmetrically placed and mirroring each other's form of flat base and wide flaring mouth, joined together by a double arch handle. The buff base is painted with black decorative bands of marine and plant motifs, starting with inverted waves below the rim, then leaves, then abstract, possibly avian designs, then a looping chain, and finally a band of varied geometric symbols. Each register is separated by a border of two black lines. Some of these borders are filled with the bright pigment that the Canosans are known for: pale pink and bright orange. The lower part of the strap handle, where the two jars join, is also brightly painted. The remaining pigment is excellent on this piece. Vessels as fine as this one were manufactured specially for funerary purposes, and have been found in the chambered tombs dug out of the bedrock that surrounds Canosa. Size: 10.8" W x 8.75" H (27.4 cm x 22.2 cm)

Provenance: private Carlton collection, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#122062

One of the bowls has been repaired from multiple pieces, with unobtrusive repairs that do not impact the iconography. The repaired bowl also has a loss from the surface of the lower body (as shown in the photograph).