Canosa vases are a type vessels belonging to ancient Apulian vase painting

Apulian vase painting

Apulian vase painting was the leading South Italian vase painting tradition between 430 and 300 BC. Of the circa 20,000 surviving specimens of Italian red-figure vases, about half are from Apulian production, while the rest are from the four other centres of production, Paestum, Campania, Lucania...

. They were produced between 350 and 300 BC and designated exclusively for funerary use.

The distinguishing feature of Canosa vases are the water-soluble paints. Blue, red, yellow, light purple and brown paints were applied to a white ground. Popular shapes included volute kraters, kantharoi

Kantharos

A kantharos or cantharus is a type of Greek pottery used for drinking. It is characterized by its high swung handles which extend above the lip of the pot.The god Dionysus had a kantharos which was never empty....

, oinochoai and askoi

Askos

Askos may mean:*Askos, Sochos, a place in northern Greece*Askos , a name assigned to a type of ancient Greek pot used at table to pour small quantities of liquids such as oil....

. A common motif were female figures, standing on a small pedestal. Additionally decoration included applied plastic winged heads, gorgon

Gorgon

In Greek mythology, the Gorgon was a terrifying female creature. The name derives from the Greek word gorgós, which means "dreadful." While descriptions of Gorgons vary across Greek literature, the term commonly refers to any of three sisters who had hair of living, venomous snakes, and a...

s and similar motifs. The paintings often depicted Nike

Nike (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Nike was a goddess who personified victory, also known as the Winged Goddess of Victory. The Roman equivalent was Victoria. Depending upon the time of various myths, she was described as the daughter of Pallas and Styx and the sister of Kratos , Bia , and Zelus...

, chariots, battle scenes, naiskoi

Naiskos

The naiskos is a small temple in Classical order with columns or pillars and pediment. Often applied as an artificial motif, it is not rare in ancient art...

and winged female figures. The main find locations of such vessels are Canosa (after which the vases are now named), Arpi

Arpi

Arpi was an ancient city of Apulia, Italy, 20 mi. W. of the sea coast, and 5 mi. N. of the modern Foggia. The legend attributes its foundation to Diomedes, and the figure of a horse, which appears on its coins, shows the importance of horse-breeding in early times in the district...

 and Ordona

Ordona

Ordona is a small town and comune of the province of Foggia in the region of Puglia in southern Italy.-Geography:Ascoli Satriano, Carapelle, Foggia, Orta Nova, Cerignola are nearby towns.-History:...

.