Xenon ware Miniature Kantharos

A South Italian terracotta miniature sessile kantharos attributed to the Apulian Xenon Group workshop, dating to the late Classical to early Hellenistic period, ca. 4th Century BCE (c. 350–320 BCE). Characterized by its deep, tapering conical body resting upon a turned ring foot and rising to a broad, everted rim, the vessel is flanked by twin vertical loop strap handles. Finished in a rich, lustrous black-gloss slip, it exemplifies the characteristic Xenon Ware superposed decoration technique, wherein matte pinkish-red slip is directly applied over the glaze rather than reserved. The decorative program is divided across the upper register by twin framing bands: Side A features a crisp, continuous right-facing meander (Greek key) frieze, while Side B displays a fluid, continuous wave-crest band. The vessel survives structurally intact with sharp pattern definition, showing authentic minor wear and light edge chipping along the rim and handle crests that reveal the fine pale buff-orange terracotta fabric beneath, alongside delicate traces of stable burial accretions within the recesses.

Size 2-1/2 in D. x 2 in H.

Cp. similar example in Margaet Mayo, The Art of South Italy Vases from Magna Graecia where they are described as probable children’s toys.

Provenance: From an Upper West Side NY Estate.