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Message:: [QUOTE="Walter Del Pellegrino, post: 152179, member: 90"]What you have is known as an amphoriskos. Some have two handles, some have three. It is similar to Greek amphoras but smaller. Generally these were originally used by the Greeks and Romans to store fragrant body oils (unguents) or other oils of great value. The design is applied by a method known as Sgraffito. It is a form of decoration made by scratching through a surface to reveal a lower layer of contrasting color in the slip before firing the piece in the kiln. It was popular in the 14th century in Italy and later revived in the late 1920's and 1930's, particularly in the northern towns of Montelupo and Montopoli as well as the region around Deruta. I think it is safe to assume that your piece was made during this time period.Finally, to the matter of the hole. Here I can, at best, only hazard a guess. If the container was used as it was intended, to hold a precious liquid, it is possible to put forth the assumption that perhaps the hole was threaded by a length of wire, leather or hemp cord. One end could have been secured, perhaps by nails, to a table and the other end knotted so that the cord could not be removed. It is a simple but effective way of preventing the precious jar from being carted off. Think, for a moment, of your local bank and the pens attached to lengths of chain and secured to the desks in the lobby.[/QUOTE]