Standed Krater, 710 B.C.
Italo-Geometric; Vulci, Italy Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Sahiman Tampa Museum of Art (91.26)

This vase represents the Greek culture as it emerged from the Dark Ages (1100 to 900 B.C.), a period of invasion by the ancient Dorian peoples who introduced iron age technology, cremation, and an Indo-European language into Greece. This particular pot is interesting because it represents the Geometric style, in which the decoration consists primarily of geometric patterns used to represent figures of horses, birds, and people. This time period is the era when Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.

You will notice that the vase came from Italy. This is because the Greeks set up colonies around the Mediterranean world and influenced pottery making and decorating in all of these cultures.

This project funded through grants from the Junior League ofTampa, Inc. and the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs, Arts in Education Program.