Unknown Maker, Greek

In contrast to the many ancient vessels that were produced by several different artisans, the form and painted decorative scheme of this skyphos achieve an artistic cohesion that suggests the potter and the painter may have been one and the same. During the late Geometric period (760-700 BCE) several distinct styles of skyphoi were developed in Athens. This vessel, with a shallow body, offset lip tapering up to a straight rim, horizontal ribbon handles, and small base, is a characteristic example. The sharp division between the main decorative area and the solid glossy black of the lower register reflects the more severe painting style of the middle Geometric period (850-760 BCE), while the overall number of motifs hints at the ornamental profusion that emerged in the more imaginative work of the late Geometric period.