DESCRIPTION: Intact. A Greek Gnathian Ware lekythos from Apulia, southern Italy. The ovoid body rises from a two-step ring foot, while the short, narrow neck rises to the disc rim, and a short strap handle connects the shoulder to the neck. The entire surface is covered in a still glossy black slip, with only parts of the foot left reserved. The decoration consists of white rays on the neck, incised tongues between concentric incised lines on the shoulder, the head of a lady with her yellow hair bound up and wearing ear rings with a slight smile on her face in added white and yellow on the body, with foliate scrolls radiating outward from either side. This central decoration is enclosed between two lines of white dots. Much of the scroll decoration has rubbed off or faded, and there has been minor repainting to the hair and neck of the female head. There is a very old label on the underside of the foot with the number "33" in black ink.

PROVENANCE: Formerly the property of an English owner, acquired 30 years earlier.

PUBLISHED: Bonhams auction catalogue, ANTIQUITIES, 1 May, 2008, London, Page 202, illustrated in color on Page 203.

COMPARISONS: For a very similar example, see John W. Hayes, Greek and Italian Black Gloss Wares and Related Wares in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, 1984, #244. Also, A. D. Trendall, Red Figure Vases of South Italy and Sicily, A Handbook, illustration 147 for a more elaborate red figure Apulian lekythos.