Late Cycladic painted ewer from Akrotiri, Thera

National Archeological Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material: Ceramic clay with painted decoration
Date range: Late Cycladic I period, around 17th century BC
Origin: Settlement of Akrotiri, island of Thera (Santorini), Greece

This ewer features a bulbous body with painted circular designs in dark paint. The vessel has a distinctive raised spout shaped like a bird's beak or head, extending upward from the shoulder, along with two protruding breast-shaped knobs on the body that give it the Greek name "mastoprochous" (nippled jug).

The decoration consists of large painted circles surrounded by smaller dots, creating a simple yet striking geometric pattern characteristic of Cycladic pottery. Horizontal painted bands encircle the neck and base of the vessel, framing the main decorative elements.

This type of ewer was used for pouring and storing water or other liquids in the Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri. The settlement was preserved under volcanic ash from the massive eruption of Thera around 1600 BC, providing remarkable evidence of Cycladic culture and daily life in the Aegean world during the Late Bronze Age.

Museum label reference: Nippled clay ewer. From the settlement of Akrotiri on the island of Thera (Santorini). Late Cycladic I period, around 17th c. BC (EAM/NAM AKP. 877)

Original Text: Πήλινο αγγείο με υπερυψωμένο, ραμφόστομο στόμιο και δύο μαστοειδείς αποφύσεις (από όπου προέρχεται και η ονομασία «μαστοπρόχους»). Από το Ακρωτήρη Θήρας. Υστεροκυκλαδική Ι περίοδος, περ. 17ος αι. π.Χ.

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Supplementary images:

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Bird-spouted ceramic ewer with painted decoration from Bronze Age settlement at Akrotiri, Santorini

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Source:  Athens, Greece