Black-glazed pottery glaux

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The ancient San Cerbone Necropolis holds a treasure trove of archaeological wonders, none more captivating than the Pit grave discovered in the 4th-3rd century BCE. This remarkable find has been carefully preserved and added to the esteemed Gasparri Collection. Government excavations in 1957 unearthed the grave, revealing a beautifully crafted black-glazed pottery glaux (cup) adorned with delicate painted owls perched between lush olive sprays. The owl's body is skillfully rendered in profile, facing the viewer's right, while its head turns full-face, inviting admiration. Its small, round eyes and thin beak add to the owl's charm, making this a truly enchanting piece of ancient craftsmanship. This type of wine cup, known as glaux, features one handle horizontally positioned and the other vertically, giving it a unique and captivating appearance. The owl and olive spray motif is quintessentially Greek, with "glaux" translating to "owl" in the language of the gods.