Information on Greek Pottery

Archaeologists can use relics like pottery to reconstruct elements of Greek culture including daily life, dress and creative expression. Pottery in Greece dates as far back as 1100 BC, thriving in East Greece as well the cities of Athens and Corinth. Art history in Greece is divided into periods of expression based on style and technique. There are five key periods that demonstrate the distinction in color, form or expression of ancient Greek pottery.

Protogeometric Period

The Protogeometric period, dating back to the 11th century BC, is considered the period of emergence for Greek pottery, beginning in the city of Athens. During this period, the potter's wheel was introduced as well as basic brushes and the use of concentric designs on forms. The Protogeometric period would come to its end at the beginning of the 10th century.

Geometric Period

Toward the end of the Protogeometric period into early 10th century BC, Greece would gain access to new wealth by way of ports and trading. With wealth came creative extravagance. Vessels featuring sculptures or ornamentation, black banding lines and enhanced carved detail were increasingly popular in Athens and other cities of Eastern Greece. By the end of the ninth century, the Geometric period vessels included symbols like swastikas, spirals and wavy lines in tight, patterned formations. The pieces of this period are noticeably intense in their design with artwork covering most of the vessel.

Archaic Period

The Archaic Period of the early eighth century BC is sometimes called the Orientalizing period of Greek pottery. As trade ports were a main source of continued wealth and creative inspiration, Archaic period potters found inspiration in the pottery techniques popular in Syria, Al Mina and other Semitic East trade centers. During this period of cultural infusion, vessels bore animal, human and floral artwork that reflected the introduction of religious and mythological imagery in creative work. It was during this period that the city of Corinth rivaled Athens in its ceramic expression.

Black-Figure Technique

The city of Corinth emerged as a source for creative expression and expansion in pottery during the eighth century BC. Potters capitalized on the Orientalizing period by producing vases with mythological imagery that introduced silhouetted shapes painted in black glaze. Black-figure technique was used to highlight the detail of the etched figures on pottery. Red and white were added to draw attention to lines carved into the clay. Pottery during this period began to convey messages and stories in addition to offering attractive design.

Red-Figure Technique

At the beginning of the sixth century BC, the Corinth tradition of black-figure was surpassed by the Athenian method using the colors red and white. This red-figure technique marked the return of Athenian dominance in pottery. In lieu of black serving as the color of the carvings on the pieces, black became the primary color of the vessels while red and white was used on the carved figures. The reversal permitted potters to use more subtle characterization with the figures drawn onto vases and other forms, enhancing story-telling. Through the sixth century BC, Athens continued its dominance, gradually exporting its wares throughout the Mediterranean.

References

• University of Texas: Introduction to Greece
• MetMuseum.org
• Art-And-Archeology.com