A fine Apulian pottery red-figure lekanis with black glazed pale tan body and original matching lid. The lid is decorated with two heads of ladies of fashion, enlivened with yellow pigments: palmettes between, stylised palm design on the lid knob and a band of vertical strokes around the rim.
 
Apulian South Italy: Circa 4th century B.C.
 
Condition: Lid - Very Fine condition, complete and intact; a few small, isolated spots of stoney accretions.
Height with lid 9.2 cms (3.6 ins).
Diameter across handles 14 cms (5.5 ins).
 
Provenance: Old Belgian private collection, thence André Munter Archéologie, Brussels, Belgium.
 
The lekanis was generally used as a cosmetic container or as a gift for brides, which was given by their fathers on their wedding day and filled with trinkets.