Hellenistic Canosan Figural Oinochoe (Head Vase) Apulia, Italy, 3rd C. - b.c.e.

Details

Description

This rare and sculptural Canosan pottery figural oinochoe takes the form of an elegant female head, modeled in terracotta with … Read more This rare and sculptural Canosan pottery figural oinochoe takes the form of an elegant female head, modeled in terracotta with softly articulated facial features and an elongated neck rising from a cylindrical base. The vessel is surmounted by a tall, narrow neck and trefoil mouth with a single vertical handle, decorated in black gloss with added polychrome and gilt detailing, characteristic of Canosan funerary ceramics.
The female visage, rendered in pale slip, displays idealized Hellenistic features—calm expression, almond-shaped eyes, and carefully modeled hair—reflecting the influence of contemporary sculpture. The contrasting dark-painted neck with linear ornamentation and applied decorative motifs exemplifies the distinctive aesthetic of Canosa di Puglia, a major center of ceramic production during the Hellenistic period.
Canosan head vases and oinochoai of this type were typically created as grave offerings, intended for elite burials, and are prized today for their sculptural quality and strong visual presence.
Dimensions:
* Height: 16.5 in.
* Width: 6 in.
* Depth: 7 in. See less