Classical World, Etruria, ca. 5th century BCE. An impressive and quite imposing pottery stamnos presenting a voluminous form, a horizontally ribbed shoulder, and a vertically ribbed body, all adorned with incised triangular and striated motifs. Supported by a narrow, ring-form foot, the broad body is flanked by a pair of thick horizontal handles that extend slightly upward, almost appearing as wings. The word “stamnos” is still in use in modern Greek, and indeed may have been in use in ancient Etruria too. This type of vessel was used for holding wine, oil, figs, or salted food – for example, Aristophanes used a line about a “stamnos of Chian wine arriving.” Many had fitted lids. Various illustrations of this type of vessel in use show it holding liquids and being used to pour. Like many examples of non-funerary stamnos (which could be painted in red-figure or black-figure motifs), this one is painted a plain black color and varnished. Size: 16.3" Diameter x 14.6" H (41.4 cm x 37.1 cm)
Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000
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#178928
Condition
Professionally repaired and restored with break lines visible in some areas. Expected nicks and abrasions as shown. Otherwise, excellent presentation with good preservation of incised detail and light earthen deposits to interior and recessed areas.