Ca. 400-300 BC. Apulian. A black-glazed Apulian terracotta jug with a short wide neck with a flaring taurus lip globular body, a loop handle on the shoulder, and a unglazed flat base in orange clay. Excellent condition. Apulia was a region on the southern-east coast of Italy and it was populated by a vast number of Greek colonies from the 8th century BC onwards – so much so that the Romans referred to the area as 'Magna Graecia' (Great Greece). These Greek colonies were instrumental in bringing the Greek culture and art to Italy, greatly influencing Roman literature, philosophy, and material culture. Although in the ancient world black-glazed wares often replaced more expensive metal vases, the precise execution and beautiful black gloss make items like this one attractive objects in their own right. Size: L:110mm / W:100mm ; 184g. Provenance: From the private collection of a Kent gentleman; previously in an old British collection, formed in the 1990s on the UK /European art markets.