2.3 Decorative Arts Flashcards
What did the Mycenaeans do before developing their own style?
the imitated the Minoans
How was the basic shape made?
on a potters wheel
What was added to the basic shape?
patterns then an iron rich slip
What colours were the pot often?
shades ranging from red to black
What caused the colour of the pottery to vary?
the temperature of the kiln
What was the largest storage vessel?
pithoi
Height and weight of pithoi
1.5 m high and weighed over 2 tonne
What did pithoi often contain?
liquid or food
How were the contents of pithoi kept fresh or cool?
could be partially buried in the ground
How were pithoi a fire hazard?
they often contained oil
How did amphorae differ from pithoi?
much smaller, and had a much narrower neck
How were amphorae often decorated?
with geometric patterns or images of nature
How did the amphorae develop and why?
the neck and the lower part of the amphorae were painted in line or solid black to focus the eye on the picture
What was the most common storage vessel?
stirrup jars
What were stirrup jars used to store?
oil or wine
What were common decorations in the early Mycenaean age?
double axes, spirals and leaves
How did decoration change?
taste changed, so scenes often included chariot racing, bulls or human figures
What were kraters used for?
mixing wine and water
Description of krater
squat three handles jar made of alabaster
Description of kylix
Long stems and two small handles
What is the Date of the Gold rhyton?
16th Century BC
What is the Original Location of the Gold Rhyton?
Grave Circle A Mycenae
What is the current location of the Gold Rhyton?
Nation Archaeological Museum Athens
What is the Gold Rhyton made of?
Sheets of gold
What is the original purpose of the Gold Rhyton?
container for pouring wine
What techniques where used to make the Gold Rhyton?
hammering, granulation and repousse
What is the significance of the Gold Rhyton?
shows techniques in metal working
Description of the rhyta
roughly cone shaped, many taking the shape of animal heads
purpose of rhyta
liquid was designed to fall through a hole at the bottom or the mouth of the animal’s head
What did Schliemann originally think the purpose of a rhyta was?
to act as a flower pot
What has it been suggested that figurines were used as?
votive offerings to the gods or used in religious prayer
What three particular style of human figurines are recognisable?
phi, psi and tau
What are the human figurines suggested to represent?
female goddesses as the phi and psi type usually showed women with prominent breasts
What animals did the Mycenaeans get their ivory from?
elephants, hippopotami and boars
