A Canosan Wedding Vessel with Original Paint, Late 4th-Early 3rd Century BC

There were many distinct pottery forms produced by the Greeks, and each was given its own name. The lebes gamikos was a form characterized by two high upright handles which was used in the wedding ceremony, and in fact is one of the major indicators of such a ceremony whenever it appears. Canosan refers to one of the distinctive artistic styles of the Greek colonies of Southern Italy. Canosan pottery and figurines are characterized by the use of delicate pastel painted colors rather than glazes. Due to the delicacy of such paints one rarely finds a piece where more than traces of the colors remain. The current example is highly exceptional in that much of the original paint remains intact, and is a rare example of surviving Greek painting.

This lebes gamikos stands on a tall foot and has an attached faux lid with high knob, finial handle and two tall arched side handles. Delicately modeled Erotes holding balls are applied to each handle to signify the love anticipated by the marriage couple. The body has a finely painted female head between two floral sprigs. The shoulder with original pink paint and the finial with blue band. The Erotes and finial knob are painted in gold. Height: 15.5 cm. (6.1"). Condition: Repaired from shards but with a remarkable painted surface intact. Price US$2,500. Status: Available. Order #C062.

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