A blackware kothon, covered with black gloss inside and out. The vessel has a flared rim, with a single strap handle extending from the rim to the shoulders.
 
Ancient Greek Apulian colonies, Italy: Circa 4th century BC.
 
Condition: Complete and intact; a few light surface salt deposits, and very minor rubs to the glaze exposing the orange terracotta below.
Height 8 cms (3.1 ins).
 
Provenance: From a French private collection. Acquired in 1988 from Maitre G. Gamet, Aubagne.
 
Blackware pottery such as this were of higher quality and more expensive than the day-to-day pottery and were especially used for entertaining, especially during the symposia - the social drinking parties of the Greeks.