Rhodian Jug with Animal Friezes

Greek vase-painting of the 7th century BC was under strong Oriental influence, with new floral and faunal motifs replacing Geometric ornamentation. Corinth assumed the leading role in pottery production, which Athens had occupied during the Geometric Period. Other important centres emerged in eastern Greece. The animal friezes created in the workshops of that area, on the Aegean islands and in western Asia Minor were influenced by Oriental motifs surrounded by scattered patterns and floral ornaments, but Greek painters also developed their own style in me Archaic period. Characteristic of the eastern Greek vessels is the light background, while the figural decorations are executed in a combination of silhouette style and outline drawing. As in Corinthian pottery, animal friezes play an important role, the preferred motifs being exotic beasts of prey, fantastic composite creatures such as sphinxes and griffins and, frequently, wild goats. Named after the main site where this type was found, the present Rhodian Jug conveys a precise picture of the development of this style in the Greek East. The white surface of the vessel’s body is encircled with animal friezes (above: griffinand sphinx, below: dog and hare) as well as ornamental belts of woven bands and lotus flowers. The mixed style of painting, the elongated figural motifs and the rich ornamentation that fills the spaces lend this work a special charm. With its characteristic clover-leaf mouth and carefully painted animal friezes, the present wine jug was probably created in a workshop on the island of Cos around 600 BC.
© Kurt Gschwantler, Alfred Bernhard-Walcher, Manuela Laubenberger, Georg Plattner, Karoline Zhuber-Okrog, Masterpieces in the Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities. A Brief Guide to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna 2011