Phoenician Piriform Jug

8th century B.C. A piriform ceramic jug with trefoil mouth and integral ribbed handle; covered in a red slip with burnished surface; held in an antique wooden box crate. 1.7 kg, 27.5 cm high (10 7/8 in.). Collected by Miss Patience Townend, in the late 1950s. Thence by descent to the owner’s godmother. By gift to Mrs Lucy Manningham-Buller, circa 2002. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from Rupert Chapman, Curator of Levantine Antiquities, in the Middle Eastern Department at the British Museum, dated 4th March 2013, discussing the piece: ‘…there is no doubt in our minds that the piece is genuine, and that it dates to the eighth century B.C.the piece you have is a very fine one… any museum would be very happy to have such a fine example in its collection’. An example of fine tableware from this period, made for use in the wealthiest households.