A Published Megarian Ware Pottery Bowl, Hellenistic Period, ca. 3rd century BCE

A fine orange slipware pottery hemispherical bowl molded on the exterior with an elaborate relief decoration of palmette leaves alternating with stylized standing human figures and elongated amphorae, and a rosette in the center of the base. Center band of horizontal bars.

Relief-decorated pottery became more popular than painted pottery during the Hellenistic period. The name Megarian was first given to this type of mold-made relief bowl in the late nineteenth century because some of the first known examples were said to have come from the city of Megara, a city-state that flourished during the fourth and the early third centuries BCE. It has since been demonstrated that bowls of this type, which were produced at a number of different centers, originated in Athens in the third quarter of the third century B.C.

Published: K. Hamma, ed., The Dechter Collection of Greek Vases, San Bernardino, 1989, no. 49. Exhibited: San Bernardino, California State University; and Art Galleries, California State University, Northridge, The Dechter Collection of Greek Vases, 5 May-2 June 1989 and 26 February-30 March 1990.

Condition: Overall scattered surface deposits and root marks. A few small rim flakes and a stable hairline from the rim, a minor glaze flake near the base, otherwise intact, and in excellent condition overall.

Dimensions: Diameter: 5 3/8 inches (13.65 cm)

Provenance: The Hanita and Aaron Dechter Collection, Los Angeles, acquired before 1989. Ex. Christies, London, 7/11/1984, lot 257.