Antique Pouring Vessel

Details

Description

This is a fascinating vessel, and it has a very distinctive look.
• The body is lobed and rounded, almost … Read more This is a fascinating vessel, and it has a very distinctive look.
• The body is lobed and rounded, almost like a melon or gourd shape, with deep scallops radiating from the center.
• It has a tall, narrow neck that flares slightly at the rim, giving it a funnel-like mouth.
• A sturdy vertical handle connects the neck to the shoulder, with painted decoration running along it.
• The base is flattened with the lobes extending outward, as seen in the underside view.

Decoration
• The vessel is painted in a black and ochre/yellow palette.
• Black teardrop-like motifs radiate down each lobe of the body.
• The handle is decorated with a repeating leaf or vine pattern, painted in black.
• The surface shows some weathering and encrustation, especially on the underside, giving it an aged appearance.

Cultural Style

This type of vessel has characteristics reminiscent of ancient Mediterranean pottery, especially from the Cypriot or Mycenaean traditions (Late Bronze Age, c. 1400–1200 BCE). The lobed “melon” form and bold black-painted decoration are strongly associated with pottery from Cyprus and sometimes Crete, where such vessels were both decorative and functional.

They were often used as jugs for pouring liquids (possibly wine or oil). The handle and spout suggest it was designed for actual use rather than purely ceremonial display.

Condition
• There is visible surface wear, mineral deposits, and discoloration, suggesting significant age or long burial.
• Some chipping is visible around the painted areas, but overall, the vessel appears structurally intact.
• The bottom shows heavy patination, which is typical of ancient ceramics that have been excavated.

✨ In summary:
This is a lobed ceramic jug, decorated in black and ochre, likely inspired by or originating from ancient Cypriot or Aegean pottery traditions of the Late Bronze Age. Its melon-shaped body and bold geometric decoration are hallmarks of that style. It would have been used for pouring liquids, combining functionality with an aesthetic tied to ritual and everyday life. See less