A squat, black-glazed Campanian lekythos (oil flask). The vessel stands on a small ring foot, with decorative ribbing around the body.
 
Condition: A chip to the exterior edge of the rim; otherwise, complete and intact.
Height 8.1 cms (3.2 ins)
 
Provenance: Swiss priv. coll. P. Bonsera, Basel, purchased on the Swiss art market.
Before that in Swiss priv. coll., established 1960's-70's Zürich.
 
Such flasks would have served as a container for perfumed oils or precious liquids used in personal grooming, athletic activities, and funerary rituals. In the context of 4th-century BC Campania. They imitated the prestigious styles of Athens but were produced locally for regional markets.
 
See our blog post on Ancient Greek pottery