Magna Graecia, South Italic, Late Campanian, ca. 3rd century BCE. An extensively decorated, wheel-thrown lidded lebes gamikos (also known as a nuptial lebes) with a ring base, ever-so-slightly incurved walls, a rimmed edge, a rounded shoulder decorated with four nubbin-shaped protrusions, and a pair of high-arching handles. An accompanying lid has a discoid form and a pointed finial. The body is painted with a lovely register of abstract leafy berry vines and the lid with dotted bands - all in black and red. Size: 4.125" W handlespan x 5.75" H (10.5 cm x 14.6 cm)
Lebes gamikos (plural lebetes gamikoi) are important and highly-symbolic vessels created in the Classical world. High handles and ornate designs characterize this particular style, and were used primarily in times of great happiness or immense sorrow. This form of pottery is used during ancient marriage ceremonies – its name literally meaning "marriage vase" - in order to ritualistically sprinkle the bride with water prior to the wedding. Lebetes gamikoi were also an integral component of funerary rituals, used to consecrate the body of and act as a grave marker for women who died without experiencing the act of betrothal.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#139168
Condition
Expected surface wear with areas of pigment loss commensurate with age. Firing crack on underside of base.