A pair of small Greek black-glazed pottery cups
Magna Graecia, circa 4th century BC
Diameter: 6.7 cm; 7 cm
Provenance:
Art market, Paris, 1989
French private collection, acquired from the above
Each is set on a ring-foot and the body has thick walls forming an incurving rim, and decorated throughout in black glaze.
Literature:
'Such cups were used for holding food, drink or as a salt cellar, or, possibly as a measure for dry ingredients. For similar, cf. B.A. Sparkes, L. Talcott, The Athenian Agora. Black and Plain Pottery, Princeton, 1970, fig. 9.
Condition:
Some restoration to the rim and feet.