Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : Clay objects : Pyxis with plastic decoration [Π15445]

Vaulted Tombs of Mesara ➔ Pyxis with plastic decoration

Π15445

Clay

Mended and restored.

Height: 15 cm. Length: 25. 1 cm. Width: 12.3 cm.

Lebena

Tomb ΙΙ, Yerokambos

Early Bronze Age. Prepalatial period, Early Minoan I period.:

3100 - 2700 BC:

Gallery:

Case:

Exhibition thematic unit:

Early Bronze Age - Prepalatial period (3000 - 1900 BC). Settlements and cemeteries - the rise of ruling groups

For the dead. From personal event to communal practices

Description

The Early Minoan I period in the Mesara is characterised by a plethora of distinctively shaped vessels like this pyxis. Μost of them come from tombs. This vessel with its rounded curved belly and flat shoulders with a low cylindrical neck appears to imitate vessels made of natural materials such as gourds or skin bags. The two long protrusions end in stylised bird’s heads. They are pierced with holes to suspend the vessel or to attach the lid, securing its contents. The white linear decoration on a burnished reddish-brown ground is named Lebena Ware, after the many examples of such vessels found in the tholos tombs of Lebena.

Bibliography:

Alexiou, S. "New Light on Minoan Dating: Early Minoan Tombs at Lebena." The Illustrated London News 237, 6 August 1960: 225-227, fig. 9 right. Alexiou, S. and P. Warren. The Early Minoan Tombs of Lebena, Southern Crete. Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology Vol. XXX. S?vedalen, 2004, 94, fig. 27:325, pl. 75A.

Author:

E. S.

Photographs' metadata