Classical World, Etruria, ca. early 6th century CE. A small kyathos, a drinking cup with a tall handle, in the glossy black style of Bucchero ware. This particular example has a low, wide foot and a tall loop handle decorated with a foliate finial (a common Etruscan symbol) and a little mask in the form of a gorgon. The presence of the gorgon speaks to the Classical world of mythology; the concept of the gorgon, a frightening, beast-like, female creature, is at least as old as Homer and continued to be used as a monstrous symbol throughout the Roman period. Items like these were wheel-made, with a foot that was thrown separately on the wheel and joined to the rest of the vase as the two pieces began to harden. It was then burnished with a smooth stone to give it a sheen, before being put into a reduced-oxygen kiln to produce this glossy black color from the iron-oxide rich Tuscan clay. Size: 3.1" W x 4.9" H (7.9 cm x 12.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private Orange County, CA collection

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