Southern Italian, Ca.400-300 BC. A Gnathian oinochoe with trilobate spout, constricted neck, piriform body, ring base and L-shaped handle. The exterior is painted black; several registers of painted decoration in cream and brown shades appear on the upper part of the body: these depict grapes and other foodstuffs, indicating the vase's use for pouring wine. Gnathian vases are a subtype of ancient Apulian vase painting of the 4th century BC, named for the ancient city of Gnathia (now Egnazia) in Eastern Apulia. Gnathian vases are characterised by the application of different paints directly onto the glazed vase body. Common themes depicted include erotes, images from the life of women, theatre scenes and Dionysian motifs. These vessels would have been used both in domestic contexts and during religious rituals. Excellent condition.Size: L:170mm / W:100mm ; 360gProvenance: Property of a central London Gallery; formerly in a South English estate collection; acquired in the 1990s from Andre de Munter, Brussels, Belgium; previously in and old European collection.