Single-handled cylindrical cup with concave profile



Single-handled cylindrical cup with concave profile

Π2699
Clay
Incomplete, mended and restored
Height: 9 cm. Diameter: 13.4 cm.
Knossos
Palace, Royal Pottery Stores
Middle Bronze Age. Protopalatial period, Middle Minoan ΙΙΑ period:
1800-1750 BC:
Gallery:
III
Case:
31
Exhibition thematic unit:
Middle Bronze Age - Protopalatial period (1900-1700 BC). The First Palaces. The emergence of palatial societies
Palaces of Knossos and Phaistos. Kamares Ware
Description
The cylindrical cups with concave profile of the Old Palace period, like this example from Knossos, are particularly popular drinking vessels, the precursors of the Vapheio cups. This cup is well made, as we see from the characteristic “eggshell” walls and the originality of the polychrome decoration, perhaps sponge marks on a black ground. The elegant shape, fine walls and strap handle, and dark glossy slip probably imitate features of metal prototypes.
Bibliography:
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. I, London, 1921, fig. 184b. MacGillivray, J.A. Knossos: Pottery Groups of the Old Palace Period. BSA Studies 5, London, 1998, 152, no 628, pl. 104.
Author:
I. N.


Photographs' metadata