Magna Graecia, South Italy, Apulia, ca. 340 to 325 BCE. A beautiful lidded vessel of an attractive silhouette, with a bulbous body that corsets to a cylindrical neck, a cleverly designed handle comprised of two coils 'knotted' together at the center, joining rim to shoulder, all on a concave, tiered round foot. Also impressive is the painted iconographical program featuring a seated Nike, the winged goddess of victory, speed, and strength, quite attractive with delicate facial features, a red wavy coiffure pulled back with a headband, wearing a flowing chiton, bracelets, pearl necklace, drop earring, and pearl strand adorning her head wrap. She holds a large casket in one hand and a grape leaf in the other. A fan rests across the cascading folds of her garment. Size: 5.25" W at widest point x 7.375" H (13.3 cm x 18.7 cm)

On the opposite side is a large stylized palmette with extending tendrils. The neck presents a band of laurel leaves with white berries. All is skillfully delineated via the red-figure technique with added details in fugitive white and yellow-orange paint. The decorative program of the lid complements that of the body perfectly, with two Ladies of Fashion wearing a saccos (head scarf) with pearl strands and hair pins, drop earrings, and a pearl necklace on either side, separated by stylized palmettes - also via red-figure technique with tasteful highlights in added fugitive white and yellow-orange paint. The knob handle is simple yet elegant, with a concentric circular motif. Finally, a circular makers mark graces the underside of the base.

Provenance: private Carlton collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired between 1965 and 1980

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#125534

Tiny nicks to rim of handle knob, chips to periphery of base and lower section of the body beneath Nike's wings. Section of repair to the flared rim of the body with some touch up to the paint. Expected surface wear with some pigment losses as shown. Former inventory label on underside of the base.