A MYCENAEAN POTTERY KYLIX

During the Bronze Age, Minoan artistic styles had a significant influence on nearby cultures, such as the Myceneans. Mycenaean pottery, which was produced on mainland Greece, often displays Minoan-inspired themes that originated on the island of Crete. However, in comparison with Minoan naturalism, the Myceneans had a tendancy for formality and stylisation, as can be seen on this piece with the rendering of the whorl-shells. The use of vertical whorl-shells is characteristic of decoration of the Late Helladic period. See acc. no. 27.120.7 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York for similar.