Hellenistic Megarian Bowl with Floral Decoration 3rd-1st century B.C. A hemispherical black-glazed terracotta bowl with everted rim, raised circumferential band to the shoulder, moulded band of ovolo ornament below, body quartered using stylised fern leaves, an elaborate floral form occupying the centre of each, rosette to base. Cf. The British Museum, museum numbers 1842,0728.803 and 1856,0826.433, for similar; cf. Baur, P.V.C., ‘Megarian Bowls in the Rebecca Darlington Stoddard Collection of Greek and Italian vases in Yale University’ in American Journal of Archaeology, vol.45, no.2, April-June, 1941, pp.229-248. 199 grams, 12.6 cm wide (5 in.). Ex private European collection. Acquired by the current owner in 2001. The term ‘Megarian’ bowl applied to this type of pottery is a modern convention for academic purposes. The name ‘Megarian’ was first given to this type of mould-made relief bowl in the late 19th century, because some of the first known examples were said to have come from the city of Megara. In reality, such terracotta items originated in Athens in the 3rd quarter of the 3rd century B.C., and from that point were made in all major Greek cities for the duration of the Hellenistic period and into the Roman, especially in Alexandria. This relief-decorated pottery became more popular than painted pottery during the Hellenistic period. This class of hemispherical bowl was made in moulds and was characterised by decoration imitating metallic beakers. When the finished bowl was taken from the mould, it was probably dipped in varnish or dull paint and fired. According to Prof. P.V.C. Baur, the stamps used for making moulds were not produced in every manufacturing centre of ‘Megarian’ bowls, but were made only in important centres such as Athens, Pergamon, Antioch and Alexandria, and sold to potters throughout the Hellenistic world. For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price