Black-glazed amphora (wine jar) with a gilded wreath

myminifactory

The late 4th century BC witnessed a dramatic rise in the production of massive, glossy black-glazed pottery containers. Some of these vessels boasted intricately ribbed patterns and ornate gilded designs, often featuring wreaths and other precious jewelry motifs. The lustrous black finish and distinctive ribbing may have been deliberately crafted to evoke the appearance of metallic surfaces, specifically silver or bronze, with the ribbing carefully replicating the texture of metalware. These imposing black-glazed vessels were highly sought after in the northern Black Sea regions, Eastern Greece, Egypt, and Italy, where they typically occupied prominent places within tombs.