Corinthian Conventionalizing Miniature Hydria (Water Jar)

Late Archaic-Classical
5th century BCE

diameter without handles
4 1/2 x 3 3/8 x 4 1/4 in. (11.4 x 8.5 x 10.8 cm)

This object has the following keywords:

• Black-figure - Refers to a style of Greek vase painting that developed from the Geometric and Orientalizing styles. It appeared in Corinth around 720 BCE, flourished in Attica by 600 BCE, and was found in Sparta, eastern Greece, and elsewhere, until the Red-figure style gradually replaced it in the late sixth century BCE. The style is characterized by a particular technique, which is characterized by the use of a refined slip, a two-stage firing process, and sintering to create black figures in silhouette on a red ground. Details were incised into the black figures or applied in purple or white pigment.
• hydriae - Ancient Greek or Roman vessels for water with three handles: two horizontal side handles for lifting and one vertical back handle for holding and pouring. Many hydriae were also made in bronze in addition to terracotta and, unlike the metal versions of other shapes, a good number survive.
• Late Corinthian - Refers to the late phase of Corinthian pottery style, dating from around 575 BCE to around 425 BCE, after which Corinth was no longer a major exporter of pottery. It is characterized by continued mass production and repetitive designs with little detail, as well as innovative work created with apparent care. Painting on these vessels typically includes elaborate ornaments arranged in formal patterns, a lively animation of design, and animals with attenuated proportions. During this phase animal scenes were gradually replaced by more scenes of human figures.
• miniature - Use to describe objects and beings of a reduced size or scale compared to the average or normal range for its kind.
• vase paintings - Refers to two-dimensional decoration applied to pottery by using paint made of metallic oxides or other pigments held in suspension in slip or another medium. The term is particularly used to refer to Ancient Greek red- and black-figure works. See also "porcelain paintings (visual works)."

• diameter without handles Dimensions: 4 1/2 x 3 3/8 x 4 1/4 in. (11.43 x 8.5 x 10.795 cm)

This object is a member of the following portfolios: