Mycenaean Stirrup Jar

Culture: Mycenaean

Period: 14th-13th century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 20 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 2616

Provenance: French private collection, auctioned at Tajan on 13 November 2001. With original invoice. Subsequently, in another French collection.

Condition: A few minor surface flakings of the paint, otherwise intact and of fine quality.

Description: Large Mycenaean stirrup jar with a globular body standing on a slightly raised foot ring. The vessel is painted in brown, with parallel circular segments painted around a central point to the left and right of the spout, which may be interpreted as eyes. The tall, rising spout with its flaring rim then forms the striking mouth. The stirrup handle is decorated with a spiral pattern, with a sun symbol and comb-like lines on the other side. Three parallel lines run around the body on the sides, above which is a wavy line framed by two bands. Stirrup jars were first produced on Crete around 1500 B.C. The form was adopted and adapted by the Mycenaeans, becoming one of their most widely distributed export products. Such vessels were made to contain valuable liquids such as aromatic olive oil or perfume. For comparison with the decoration, see the stirrup jar in the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures in Illinois, with the museum number 1922.01.0002.