Vase ‘Nam 14177’ in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens and the Group of ‘Upside-Down’ Painted Vases

Abstract

A thorough examination of a vase (inventory no. NAM 14177) kept in the storerooms of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens leads to different conclusions from those reached in its original publication. The shape is that of an early type of aryballos dated to the Middle Protocorinthian period (690–670bc). It bears a puzzling decoration of ships and standing figures with upraised arms on the body, and the same decoration on the shoulder where, however, it is upside-down. This article attempts to collect together and discuss vases that have been decorated in this manner. The majority of them are kotylai, and their chronology fits into the period between Early Protocorinthian and Middle Corinthian, although the majority of them are dated to the Protocorinthian period.