Description

Campanian black glazed bowl with six stamped palmettes and in the center the remains of a face, most likely Dionysus or, a satyr or even a theatrical mask.

The black glaze is not paint but a ceramic slip (refined clay suspension) that turns glossy black when fired under controlled conditions in a three-phase kiln process.

Culture

Greek, Campania

Dating

300 - 400 B.C.

Size

17 cm long, 5 cm high.

Provenance

Dutch collection. Bought at auction house Gorny & Mosch, with German export license. 

Ex French private collection. Bought from below in 1997. With copy of written invoice. 

Galerie Pierre-Eric Becker, Cannes, France. 

Condition

Good condition, the black glaze is partially flaked off one side.