Piriform (pear-shaped) jars were one of the commonest Mycenaean pottery types in the 14^th and 13^th centuries. They usually contained perfumed oils or unguents. These were luxury products traded across the Mediterranean, and many jars like this one have been found in Egypt and elsewhere.

The decorative motifs on the shoulder of the vase are just about recognisable as flowers. Mycenaean potters were influenced by the natural forms found in Minoan art, but represented them in an increasingly stylised manner.

 

Literature: J. Falconer and T. Mannack, Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum: Great Britain, Fascicule 19: Winchester College (Oxford, 2002), p. 23, plate 16.15; J. Chittenden and C. Seltman, Greek Art, a Commemorative Catalogue of an Exhibition held in 1946 at the Royal Academy, (London, 1947), p. 3 (no. 32)

Exhibited: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, London, 15 February – 17 March, 1946, no. 3

Provenance: Unknown

Location: Treasury, Gallery 3