Archaic I

Bichrome Ware Merchant Ship Jug

Pottery jug in Bichrome Ware with a figural scene of a merchant ship; wheelmade; ovoid-biconical body on a flat base; narrow neck, splaying opwards; trefoil mouth with a plain rim; single strap handle from shoulder to rim. Made of fine buff clay fired a cream-buff colour; decorated with brown and orange matt paint: the scene shows a schematic, cutaway view of a ship: two amphorae with bull-eye motifs on the body (resembling SCE TYpe X) sit in the hold flanking a central mast; on one side a sailor, standing on the poop deck and facing forward towards the viewer, maniplates what appears to be a round anchor; to the left of the amphora at the stern end, another sailor controls two oars or the helm, while a third marriner, outside the stern at the back, is shown defecating on a large fish (perhaps a shark or tuna) following the ship; the fish is schematically shown, with exaggerated fins and a large profile eye. Dimensions: Height: 15.90 centimetres Object Type: jug Ware: Bichrome Ware Techniques: wheel-made; painted