400-300 BC. Southern Italian. Gnathian skyphos with deep, curved sides, ring foot and two equally spaced loop handles. The exterior is painted black; four registers of painted decoration in cream and brown tones appear on the upper part of the body: these depict grapevines, indicating the vase’s use for pouring wine. Gnathian vases are a subtype of ancient Apulian vase painting of the 4th century BC, named for the ancient city of Gnathia (now Egnazia) in Eastern Apulia. Gnathian vases are characterised by the application of different paints directly onto the glazed vase body. Common themes depicted include erotes, images from the life of women, theatre scenes and Dionysian motifs. These vessels would have been used both in domestic contexts and during religious rituals. Excellent condition. Size: L:92mm / W:132mm ; 135g; Provenance: From the private collection of a Kent gentleman; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1980s on the UK /European art markets.