White Painted AK

This beautifully decorated vessel is an amphoroid krater - an amphora, in that it has two handles and stored contents, but a krater, in the fashion of the Greek decorated kraters. The style of decoration is called White Painted Ware; this piece demonstrates the intricate geometric designs which were often used. The surface appears to be multicolored due to uneven firing, so that some of the surface clay kept its original, darker color, or possibly also due to uneven application of the slip (or base coat). The decoration is all in dark brownish-black paint. This piece is about two feet tall. This piece (and those below ) would have been used in households, either to store items or foodstuffs, or as serving pieces; wine was usually mixed with water for guests, and these pots were used to mix and serve it.