Ca. 400-300 BC. A black glazed mug featuring an elegant inverted pear-shaped body with incised vertical grooves around the shoulder. The mug has a short cylindrical neck leading to an everted rim and is equipped with a convenient side handle for easy handling. The base of the mug is slightly concave and is covered with the same lustrous black glaze that graces the entire surface of the vessel. This mug is a fine example of the exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail that characterizes Apulian ceramic production. The Apulian region in southern Italy was renowned in antiquity for its thriving pottery industry, which produced some of the most elegant and sophisticated ceramics of the ancient Mediterranean world. The black glaze on this mug is typical of Apulian pottery, and the incised vertical grooves add a touch of refinement to the overall design. Mugs like this one were likely used for drinking wine or other beverages during social occasions or banquets. The elegant shape and beautiful black glaze would have made this mug a desirable and fashionable item among the elites of ancient Apulia. For a similar, see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 1983.571.4.Size: L:65mm / W:60mm ; 40gProvenance: Private London collection, B.A.; formerly in pre-2000 European collection.