[ΚΕΝΟ]



Rhyton with barbotine decoration

Π3588
Clay
Incomplete, restored.
Height: 18.4 cm. Rim diameter: 5.7/1.8 cm. Hole diameter: 0.5 cm.
Zakros
Hogarth's House Κ excavation
Middle Bronze Age. Neopalatial period, Middle Minoan ΙΙΙA period.:
1700-1650 BC:
Gallery:
IV
Case:
42
Exhibition thematic unit:
Late Bronze Age - Neopalatial period (1700-1450 BC). The New Palaces. The zenith of Minoan civilisation
Archanes Palatial Centre - Palace of Zakros
Description
This unusual rhyton stands out for its decoration with clay protuberances across most of the body. This style of decoration, known as “barbotine”, consists of rough “prickles” made by applying small lumps of wet clay to the body and moulding them with the fingers to produce the desired result. This technique is particularly popular in the early phase of the Middle Bronze Age, with two variants: the “dotted” and the “urchin” type, perhaps imitating the shell of marine crustaceans. This rhyton from Zakros is one of the few examples of Barbotine Ware from East Crete. It is dated to the mature Middle Bronze Age, when this style of decoration was going out of fashion but relief (mainly pictorial) decoration was experiencing a brief peak. The rhyton mainly bears dotted decoration, with some elements of the “urchin” technique on most of the body. The barbotine surface is painted in a dark colour, while on the lower body is a zone of dark painted stylised motifs, perhaps flowers. The relief band on the neck and the applied knob at the join of handle and neck may echo metal prototypes. As is the case with most types of rhyton, the vase could have been used to decant liquids and/or make libations in the context of ritual practices.
Bibliography:
Dawkins, R.M. "Pottery from Zakros". Journal of Hellenic Studies 23 (1903): 259, fig. 37. Evans, A.J. The Palace of Minos: A Comparative Account of the Successive Stages of the Early Cretan Civilization as Illustrated by the Discoveries at Knossos. Vol. II,1, London, 1928, 224-5, fig. 129.11. Betancourt, Ph.P., Η Ιστορία της Μινωικής κεραμεικής (trans. Th. Iliopoulos). Athens, 1985, pl. 7Δ. Koehl, R.B. Aegean Bronze Age Rhyta. INSTAP Prehistory Monographs 19. Philadelphia, Penn., 2006, 85-6, no. 82, fig. 5, pl. 9.
Author:
I. N.


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