A finely made miniature skyphos in black-glazed ceramic, with a curved form sitting on a low ring base and two handles applied at either end of the wide mouth. The body has been decorated in red ochre with a register of horizontal chevrons below the rim, separated from a lower register of waves with a band. Miniature xenonware vessels such as this example were used to hold votive offerings at temples and home shrines. Travellers would make a pilgrimage to a temple or religious site where they could purchase a vessel to leave an offering, or to take home to present at their local temple or home shrine. Medium: Blackware ceramic Dimensions: Height: 1 5/8 inches (4 cm), Width: 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm) Condition: One handle reapplied, otherwise intact and in very good condition. Provenance: David F. Hoff, TX (1948 - 2021) private collection, acquired between 1993 - 1997 and then by descent.
