Download Red-Figure Technique (c. 480 to 425 BC)

Name: ____________________________ Class: ________________Date:__________
Greek Pottery
Protogeometric Period (c. 1050-900 BC.)

The Protogeometric period, dating back to the 11th century BC, is considered the period of
emergence for Greek pottery, beginning in the city of Athens. During this period, the potter's
wheel was introduced as well as basic brushes and the use of concentric (having common
center) designs on forms. The Protogeometric period would come to its end at the beginning
of the 10th century.
Geometric Period (c.900-700 B.C.) We are going to make creative vases in the style of the geometric period.

Toward the end of the Protogeometric period into early 10th century BC, Greece would gain
access to new wealth by way of ports and trading. With wealth came creative extravagance.
Vessels featuring sculptures or ornamentation, black banding lines and enhanced carved detail
were increasingly popular in Athens and other cities of Eastern Greece. The decoration of the
pottery progressed from a few simple designs in bands around the piece to more complex
pottery that was covered with meander patterned decoration. It is called meander because
“meander” means to wander and these are lines that wander around before they get anywhere.
The vase was divided in registers or parallel bars and there is careful attention to proportion
and composition. Animals and humans are simplified and stylized. Humans have triangular
torsos, pinched waists, they are very geometric figures. By the end of the ninth century, the
Geometric period vessels included symbols like swastikas, spirals checkers, zigzags and wavy
lines in tight, patterned formations. The pieces of this period are noticeably intense in their
design with artwork covering most of the vessel.
Archaic Period (c.700-480 B.C.)

The Archaic Period of the early eighth century BC is sometimes called the Orientalizing Period
of Greek pottery. As trade ports were a main source of continued wealth and creative inspiration,
Archaic period potters found inspiration in the pottery techniques popular in Syria, Al Mina and
other Semitic East trade centers. During this period of cultural infusion, vessels bore animal,
human and floral artwork that reflected the introduction of religious and mythological imagery in
creative work.
Black-Figure Technique (c.620 to 480 BC)

The city of Corinth emerged as a source for creative expression and expansion in pottery during
the eighth century BC. Potters capitalized on the Orientalizing period by producing vases with
mythological imagery that introduced silhouetted shapes painted in black glaze. Black figure is
called that because the people (the figures) are black, and the background is red. Black-figure
technique was used to highlight the detail of the etched figures on pottery. Red and white were
added to draw attention to lines carved into the clay. Pottery during this period began to convey
messages and stories in addition to offering attractive design.
Red-Figure Technique (c. 480 to 425 BC)

At the beginning of the sixth century BC, the Corinth tradition of black-figure was surpassed by
the Athenian method using the colors red and white. This red-figure technique marked the return
of Athenian dominance in pottery. In lieu of black serving as the color of the carvings on the
pieces, black became the primary color of the vessels while red and white was used on the carved
figures. In red figure, on the other hand, the people are red, and the background is black. The
reversal permitted potters to use more subtle characterization with the figures drawn onto vases
and other forms, enhancing story-telling. Through the sixth century BC, Athens continued its
dominance, gradually exporting its wares throughout the Mediterranean.
These 2 pieces are from the Protogeometric period
1050-900 B.C. (all this pottery is wheel thrown) they have a simpler pattern/design.
A.
B.
Both are from the Geometric Period (1100-750 B.C.)
Pottery is glass like and will not rot or burn, but does break, and can be glued back together. The patterns are arranged
in bands around the circumference with meandering patterns. A. See how this vase has been glued
The decoration has progressed from simple
designs in bands towards ever increasing complexity.
Later figures and animals are added in simple geometric shapes.
A.
B.
C.
A. Archaic Period/Orientalizing Period B. Black-Figure Technique C. Red-Figure Technique
AMPHORA Today we give cash bonuses to athletes. We film them endorsing their favorite
products. But in early Greece, victors in the Pan-Athenic games were awarded oil...and the oil was stored in large
ceramic vessels called amphoras.
HYDRIA If your chore was to bring home the water, you'd carry it in a hydria. A hydria has three
handles: the two on the shoulder of the vessel are for lifting. The handle at the top makes pouring easier.
KANTHAROS Dionysos, the Greek god of wine, is often depicted as he drinks from a
kantharos. This vessel is a deep cup with two vertical handles which often extend high above the lip of the cup.
It was considered uncivilized to drink wine straight... so mixing it with water was a social
ritual. The early Greeks used a KRATER for this process. It's a large bowl with a wide mouth.
KYLIX A fine gift for the Greek who has everything would be a kylix, or an elegant,
highly decorated drinking cup. This vessel might have been decorated on the outside walls, and also in the circular
inside area, or tondo. The almost flat interior circle on the interior base of the cup, called the tondo, was the primary
surface for painted decoration in the Black-figure or Red-figure styles of the 6th and 5th century BC.
PHIALE A departure ritual in early Greece might have included pouring libations
to the gods using saucer-like bowl called a phiale. This vessel had no foot or handle, but the celebrant could get a grip
using the thumb hole at the base of the bowl.
Where to keep your lipstick and small change!!!? A PYXIS, or small box-like container
with a lid, might be the Greek solution. This container is usually round, but might have a number of many different
vertical profiles. A pyxis was a girl thing...for keeping cosmetics, jewelry, and small items. It's common to see
illustrations of weddings or funerals on a pyxis.
DINOSA dinos was also given as a prize during Greek competitions. It is a deep bowl
without handles. Often a dinos was rounded on the bottom, and therefore needed a stand for support.
Psykter The word psykter means "cooler," and it was used for cooling wine: the psykter was
placed in a krater which had been filled with cooled water, and the cooling liquid would surround the psykter and cool
the wine.
See if you can create your own meandering pattern. Practice drawing some of these Greek pottery examples and meandering
patterns; decide which you wish to use. Symmetry will be used so you can only draw half.