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Object Label

One of the world’s most famous works of Minoan pottery, this vessel shows five mollusks called nautili floating above the sea floor. The sinuous, undulating lines of the water plants and nautili tentacles clearly demonstrate the Minoans’ love of bold, sweeping designs. For the Egyptians, Minoan painting must have provided an exotic contrast to their own balanced, ordered designs.

Caption

Greek; Minoan. Decorated Jug, ca. 1575–1500 B.C.E.. Clay, pigment, 8 11/16 x Diam. 9 5/8 in. (22 x 24.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.13E. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Cultures

Greek, Minoan

Title

Decorated Jug

Date

ca. 1575–1500 B.C.E.

Period

Late Minoan IB Period

Geography

Place made: Crete, Greece, Reportedly from: Lower Egypt, Egypt

Medium

Clay, pigment

Classification

Vessel

Dimensions

8 11/16 x Diam. 9 5/8 in. (22 x 24.5 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

37.13E

Frequent Art Questions

  • Hi, I wanted to ask whether this is related somehow with Cretan art.

    You are absolutely correct! Good eye...
    This jug comes from the Minoan culture based out of Crete. It was created in Crete but was found in Egypt. It's an interesting testament to trade between Greece and Egypt around 1500 BCE!

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