Mycenaean Stirrup Vase

An ancient Mycenaean stirrup vase decorated with bands of brown on the shoulder, neck, and foot, and a scale pattern on the neck.

Ca. 1400 - 1200 BC.

Height: 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm).

Stirrup jars were first made in Crete around 1500 BC. The shape was adapted by the Mycenaeans and was one of their most prevalent export wares. The vessels were made to hold precious liquids like aromatic olive oil or perfume.

cf.: A. Furumark, "Mycenaean Pottery I, Analysis and Classification," (Stockholm, 1972) p. 22, figs. 3.23, 4.30, 5.31, 6.36; also L. Marangou, "Ancient Greek Art: the N. P. Goulandris Collection," pp.38-41.

Formerly in the collection of Jerome Eisenberg, New York; acquired form Charles Ede, London, catalog 142, Antiquities, July, 1987, no. 9.

Inv#: 8853

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