Palmette Cups From Ancient Tanagra

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the development of palmette cups from ancient Tanagra. Also known as floral cups, these formed the predominant type of decorated pottery in Boeotia and neighbouring areas during the Classical period. Production of these cups – which were decorated with simple floral motifs (mostly palmettes) in silhouette technique – peaked towards the end of the fifth and in the early fourth century bc. This study is based on a catalogue of 74 cups of unknown context in the apotheke of the Schimatari Museum, with reference to other material from excavations and collections, thus providing the most comprehensive body of palmette vases known from Tanagra or any other production centre. With a focus on vase shape and decoration, several groups or workshops are identified. The picture that is built up contributes to a better understanding of the diversity and development of this type of pottery, and offers an insight into the ceramic traditions of Boeotia in general.