South Italian, Apulia, 320-300 BC. A ceramic pyxis of spherical form with small stepped foot and chamfered button handle; the base with reserved palmettes on a black field and white pellets; the lid with palmettes between two profile heads of ladies of fashion, Side A with stephane necklace and earrings, the hair bound with a decorated cloth(?) to the rear; Side B with dark hair dressed in a chignon with pearls to the taenia restraining ribbons, with stephane necklace and earrings; lotus flower motif to the shoulder. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] See Trendall, AD The Red-Figured Vaese of Apulia, Suppl. I, 1983, 198, 29/838a; and Eisenberg, J. One Thousand Years Of Ancient Greek Vases, 1990, no.96. 279 grams total, 14cm (5 1/2"). From an old Tokyo collection; formerly the property of a Japanese gentleman; acquired at auction in 2010. [No Reserve]