The powerful Mycenaeans emerged on mainland Greece, and were named after Mycenae, the home to King Agamemnon. This ceramic kylix reflects the exquisite artistry of Mycenaean craftsmanship. Decorated with a stylized sea shell motif most probably of the murex species.
Both the shape of the vessel and its decorative motif are typical for the period from about 1350 to 1300 B.C. Beginning earlier still, around 1500 B.C., Mycenaean potters decorated their wares with very naturalistic renderings of marine life, a style adopted from the island of Crete. Over the centuries, these pictures became more stylized, as can be seen on this cup.
H:13.5cm, RimD:14.5cm, MaxL:20cm