Description
COSMETIC BOWL With carinated body and small flat discoid base. The shoulder has a strong bulge and a series of engraved incisions forming a petal motif all around, giving the vase the general appearance of a lotus flower. The particular shape of this vase refers to the type of "blossom bowl" or "lotus bowl" found in Minoan stoneware, a durable version of the standard terracotta or metal models. These high-quality vases were exported to the Eastern Mediterranean. If we compare this vase with other examples, we will no doubt note the unfinished appearance of the fluting, which does not extend over the entire surface of the belly, unlike known models. Rock crystal being a very hard variety of quartz, and much more difficult to work than serpentine or chlorite (materials more commonly used for the production of these vases) this could explain the slightly different appearance of this specimen. However, rock crystal was already being used by the Minoans to create luxurious artefacts such as crockery, beads and sigil seals. For references, see a serpentine blossom bowl in the Metropolitan Museum, NY, inv. 26.31.433 (fig.1); a rock crystal vase in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, Crete (fig.2); or a cup with duck-head handle in the Archaeological Museum of Athens (fig.3). Rock crystal. H. 5.4 cm; Diam. opening 4.2 cm Minoan art, 1700-1450 B.C. A Minoan II Rock Crystal blossom bowl. With a streamlined body and small flat discoidal base. The heavily bulging shoulder has a series of engraved incisions forming a petal pattern all around and giving the vase the overall lotus flower appearance. The particular shape of this vase refers to the type of "blossom bowl" or "lotus bowl" of Minoan stone production, a durable version of standard models in terracotta or metal. Of high quality, this type of vase was exported to the eastern Mediterranean. If we compare this vase with other examples we will undoubtedly note the unfinished appearance of the grooves which do not extend over the entire surface of the body unlike known models. Rock crystal being a very hard variety of quartz, and much more difficult to work than serpentine or chlorite (materials more commonly used for the production of these vases) which could explain the slightly different appearance of this specimen. Already among the Minoans, however, rock crystal was a favored material in the creation of luxurious artifacts, whether tableware, pearls or signed seals. References, see a serpentine blossom bowl from the Metropolitan Museum, NY, inv. 26.31.433 (fig.1); a rock crystal vase preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, Crete (fig.2); or a cup with a duck's head handle preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Athens (fig.3). 1700-1450 B.C.E. Provenance
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COSMETIC BOWL With carinated body and small flat discoid base. The shoulder has a strong bulge and a series of engraved incisions forming a petal motif all around, giving the vase the general appearance of a lotus flower. The particular shape of this vase refers to the type of "blossom bowl" or "lotus bowl" found in Minoan stoneware, a durable version of the standard terracotta or metal models. These high-quality vases were exported to the Eastern Mediterranean. If we compare this vase with other examples, we will no doubt note the unfinished appearance of the fluting, which does not extend over the entire surface of the belly, unlike known models. Rock crystal being a very hard variety of quartz, and much more difficult to work than serpentine or chlorite (materials more commonly used for the production of these vases) this could explain the slightly different appearance of this specimen. However, rock crystal was already being used by the Minoans to create luxurious artefacts such as crockery, beads and sigil seals. For references, see a serpentine blossom bowl in the Metropolitan Museum, NY, inv. 26.31.433 (fig.1); a rock crystal vase in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, Crete (fig.2); or a cup with duck-head handle in the Archaeological Museum of Athens (fig.3). Rock crystal. H. 5.4 cm; Diam. opening 4.2 cm Minoan art, 1700-1450 B.C. A Minoan II Rock Crystal blossom bowl. With a streamlined body and small flat discoidal base. The heavily bulging shoulder has a series of engraved incisions forming a petal pattern all around and giving the vase the overall lotus flower appearance. The particular shape of this vase refers to the type of "blossom bowl" or "lotus bowl" of Minoan stone production, a durable version of standard models in terracotta or metal. Of high quality, this type of vase was exported to the eastern Mediterranean. If we compare this vase with other examples we will undoubtedly note the unfinished appearance of the grooves which do not extend over the entire surface of the body unlike known models. Rock crystal being a very hard variety of quartz, and much more difficult to work than serpentine or chlorite (materials more commonly used for the production of these vases) which could explain the slightly different appearance of this specimen. Already among the Minoans, however, rock crystal was a favored material in the creation of luxurious artifacts, whether tableware, pearls or signed seals. References, see a serpentine blossom bowl from the Metropolitan Museum, NY, inv. 26.31.433 (fig.1); a rock crystal vase preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, Crete (fig.2); or a cup with a duck's head handle preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Athens (fig.3). 1700-1450 B.C.E. Provenance
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