Apulian Black Glazed Guttus: Herakles

An ancient Apulian Greek black glazed guttus, a vessel for pouring oil into a lamp, with a loop handle and spout. The central disk is molded with a youthful head of Herakles in three-quarter profile.

Apulia, Magna Graecia, South Eastern Italy.

Ca. 4th century BC.

Height: 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm).

The output and quality of the Greek colonial potters working in Southern Italy increased greatly following the Peloponnesian War when Attic exports fell off sharply. South Italian Colonial Greek craftsmanship of the 4th century BC was an amalgamation of the Ionian (Athenian, Attic) conventions, and Doric (western colonial Greek) styles, with a noticeable native Italian aesthetic. The five predominant regional schools of South Italian pottery were: Apulian, Sicilian, Lucanian, Paestan, and Campanian.

Formerly in a New York private collection.

Inv#: 8735

Guaranteed Authentic

$2,000