In the late 8^th century, Corinthian vase painters began to abandon the rigid geometric style of the previous two centuries. This fragment shows the emergence of a new approach to decoration. While the hatched triangles and horizontal lines are consistent with the old style, the band of decoration towards the top departs from the conventions of geometric painting. Its curvilinear forms suggest vegetation and look forward to the more naturalistic approach of Corinthian painters of the 7^th century.

This fragment originally formed the neck of an oinochoe (wine jug) with a low conical body. A more complete example from the same period is in the Metropolitan Museum, New York. This unusual shape was first made in Corinth in the late 8^th century and remained popular until around 600 BC.

 

Literature: J. Falconer and T. Mannack, Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum: Great Britain, Fascicule 19: Winchester College (Oxford, 2002), p. 13, plate 10.10-12; H.A. Payne, Necrocorinthia, a study of Corinthian art in the Archaic period (Oxford, 1931), p. 13; Winchester College Memorial Buildings: Department of Classical Art (Winchester, 1909), p. 15 (no. 23)

Provenance: From Athens, at Winchester College by 1909

Location: Treasury, Gallery 3