Greek - Ancient Pottery for Sale

Although some ancient Greek pottery was intended for decoration or for presentation, the majority was made for everyday use, mainly in the preparation and serving of food and drink, or for the bath, and can be divided in four broad categories - storage and transport vessels, mixing vessels, jugs and cups and vases for oils, perfumes and cosmetics. Most surviving Greek pottery consists of drinking vessels such as amphorae, kraters (bowls for mixing wine and water), hydria (water jars), libation bowls, jugs and cups. Miniatures were also produced in large numbers, mainly for use as offerings at temples.

Daunian Pitcher
Daunian Pitcher, 4th Century BC

Ancient Daunian Pitcher, ca. 4th Century BC. Tan-buff pottery jug with constricted neck for dispensing oils; single handle and flat base. Body decorated with...

$325.00 SOLD
Add to Cart Ask Question
Large Greek Blackware Pottery Skyphos
Large Greek Blackware Pottery Skyphos

Magna-Grecia Greek Skyphos, ca. 350 B.C., coming most likely from southern Italy -- chance this one is Attic, as evidenced by twin concentric circles at base, often...

$495.00 $350.00
Add to Cart Ask Question
Greek Apulian Skyphos - Saint Valentin Style
Greek Apulian Skyphos - Saint Valentin Style

Manufactured in the Greek colony of Apulia in southeastern Italy in the Xenon style, ca 340 to 325 B.C. Beautiful blackware skyphos (wine cup) with slightly-everted rim...

$1,695.00
Add to Cart Ask Question
Greek Xenon Ware Miniature Olpe
Greek Xenon Ware Miniature Olpe

Circa 325 BC, made in Apulia, southeastern Italy. Thin-walled miniature olpe with deep tapered form, rolled rim and single handle. Decorated with a laurel wreath...

$425.00
Add to Cart Ask Question
Superb Greek Apulian Kylix
Superb Greek Apulian Kylix

Although admittedly I do not recognize the subject of this incredible vessel, I am still able to marvel at its beauty! Large ancient Greek pottery kylix, from Apulia,

$2,495.00
Add to Cart Ask Question
Greek Apulian Lidded Lekanis
Greek Apulian Lidded Lekanis

Very rare size, almost a miniature! Ancient Greek Lekanis, ca. 350 B.C., from the ancient Greek colony of Apulia in southern Italy. Terracotta lidded pottery vessel with...

$625.00
Add to Cart Ask Question
Greek Pottery Figure of Eros
Greek Pottery Figure of Eros

Ancient Greco-Roman Figure, ca. 3rd-2nd century B.C. Hollow terracotta pottery figure of a Eros, Greek god of love. He is shown nude save a cloak worn over his...

$795.00
Add to Cart Ask Question
Greek Pottery Spindle Bottle
Greek Pottery Spindle Bottle

Ancient Greek pottery spindle bottle, ca 300 to 250 B.C., Hellenistic period. Of typical elongated form with long neck and flaring rim, decorated with several black...

$350.00 SOLD
Add to Cart Ask Question
Greek Corinthian Pottery Aryballos
Greek Corinthian Pottery Aryballos

A very fine example of this always desirable style! Ca. 580 to 540 B.C., from ancient Greece, Corinth. Small perfume vessel of spherical form with a wide rim to...

$1,450.00
Add to Cart Ask Question
Greek Gnathian Ware Squat Skyphos
Greek Gnathian Ware Squat Skyphos

Ancient Greek Gnathian Ware Skyphos, ca. 4th century B.C. Black glaze squat vessel with attenuated handles and a reserve band around foot. With typical decoration...

$495.00
Add to Cart Ask Question

The painted decoration of ancient Greek pottery has become the primary source of information about the development of Greek pictorial art. Made in a variety of sizes and shapes, according to its intended use - large vessels were used for storage and transportation of liquids (wine, olive oil, water), while smaller pots were used for perfumes and unguents. The earliest style, known as the Geometric style (ca. 1000 – 700 B.C.), features geometric patterns and, eventually, narrative scenes with stylized figures. From the late 8th to the early 7th century, a growing Eastern influence resulted in the “Orientalizing” of motifs (e.g., sphinx, griffin), notably in pieces made in Corinth (ca. 700 B.C.), where painters developed black-figure vases. Athenians adopted both the black-figure and red-figure style, and became the dominant manufacturers of Greek pottery. By the 4th century the figured decoration of pottery had declined, and by the end of the century it had died out in Athens.