Mug from Phylakopi II, Melos (ca. 2000–1600 BCE)
This Middle Cycladic mug from Melos (National Archaeological Museum, Athens) is decorated with a playful dark bird on a white surface. The color of the figure ranges from golden brown to deep black, depending on the transparency and thickness of the paint, as well as the conditions of the firing. It pairs with another mug from the same period, painted with lively white dots on a dark background.
Together, these two mugs from Phylakopi show the range of Cycladic pottery—from lively pattern to stylized figure. They reflect the creativity of a community that turned everyday objects into expressions of style. In the Bronze Age, Phylakopi was a thriving Aegean center, known for its ceramics, wall paintings, and deep connection to the natural world.
Dimensions H: 8,5 cm, Rim D: 11,0 cm, Max L : 13,5 cm