Spouted Situla (pouring vessel)

Place of OriginApulia (painter thought to be active around Ruvo di Puglia), Italy

Dateabout 330-320 BCE

DimensionsMax Dimensions: 12 1/4 × 8 3/4 × 6 3/4 in. (31.1 × 22.2 × 17.1 cm)
Diam (Vessel): 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
Foot Diam: 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm)
H (Vessel without handle): 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm)

MediumEarthenware with slip decoration, Gnathia ware

ClassificationCeramics

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1973.7

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic

Label TextThis matching set of a pail and two jugs is made in a style known as Gnathia ware, named for ancient Egnazia on the Adriatic coast, where pottery in this style was first excavated. Gnathia ware was made from about 370 BCE until about 270 BCE . It was distinguished by the secondary decoration (such as foliage and wreaths) of late South Italian red-figure vase painting. Wine and water were mixed in the situla, a very rare shape in pottery that derives from metal pails with folding handles. The diluted wine was then poured into the jugs through the strainer-spout for serving. These vessels have given their name to the unidentified Greek ceramics painter now known as the Toledo Painter.Published ReferencesWittmann, Otto, ed., "Treasures for Toledo," Toledo Museum of Art Museum News, vol. 19, nos. 2 and 3, 1976, p. 48, repr.

Green, J.R., "Gnathia Vases by The Toledo Painter," Toledo Museum of Art Museum News, vol. 22, no. 2, 1980, pp. 26-36, figs. 2, 3, 6, 7.

Schauenburg, Konrad, “Zu unteritalischen Situlen,” Archäologischer Anzeiger, 1981, p. 464-467, fig. 7.

Luckner, Kurt T., The Art of South Italy: Vases from Magna Graecia, Richmond, 1982, p. 269, no. 128.

Boulter, Cedric G., and Kurt T. Luckner, Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, Toledo Museum of Art, fasc. 2 [U.S.A., fasc. 20], Mainz, 1984, pp.26-7, pls. 109, 110.1-2. Kossatz-Deissmann, Annelise. "Eine Neue Phrygerkoph-Situla des Toledo-Malers," Archaölogisches Anzeiger, 1990, pp. 505-520, figs. 40, 43.

Exhibition History"The Art of South Italy: Vases from Magna Graecia" The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond (May 12-Aug. 8, 1982); Philbrook Art Center, Tulsa (Nov. 20, 1982 - Jan. 9, 1983); The Detroit Institute of Arts (Feb. 7 - April 10, 1983); no. 130.