Tyrrhenian amphorae
Encyclopedia
Tyrrhenian amphorae are a specific shape of Attic
black-figure neck amphorae.
Tyrrhenian amphorae were only produced during a short period, about 565 to 550 BC. They are ovoid in shape and bear striking decorations. The handle is usually decorated with a lotus-palmette cross or vegetal tendrils. It always terminates in a red-painted ridge. The vase body is painted with several friezes. The uppermost of these, on the shoulder, is usually especially notable. It often contains mythological
scenes, but the first erotic
motifs in Attic vase painting also occur here. Unique motifs include the sacrifice of Polyene. Often, the figures are explained by added inscriptions. The other friezes, usually two to three in number, are often decorated with animals. At times, a frieze is replaced with a vegetal band.
The animal friezes and use of colour resemble Corinthian vase painting. It is likely that the Attic vase painters copied Corinthian examples, so as to improve their products’ attractivity on the Etruscan
markets. Thus, the Athenian producers entered direct competition with the then market leader, Corinth
, by producing features popular in Etruria, such as neck amphorae and colourful decoration. Corinth only produced few nack amphora.
Thus, the Athenians apparently deliberately served a niche market
. The Etruscans themselves also produced similar vases. The large majority of the nearly 200 Tyrrhenian amphorae now known were found in Etruria. Eraly artists to paints such vases include the Castellani Painter
and the Goltyr Painter
, later ones the Prometheus Painter and the Kyllenios Painter. The Tyrrhenian Group was named after this type of vase.
In his 1983 pape '’On the Dating of the Tyrrhenian Group’’, the British archaeologist Tom Carpenter suggested, on the basis of iconographic and epigraphic considerations, that the vases were produced later than normally assumed, namely between 550 and 530 BC. Further, he raised the possibility that they were produced outside Athens
, perhaps in northern Attica or even outside Attica.
Attica
Attica is a historical region of Greece, containing Athens, the current capital of Greece. The historical region is centered on the Attic peninsula, which projects into the Aegean Sea...
black-figure neck amphorae.
Tyrrhenian amphorae were only produced during a short period, about 565 to 550 BC. They are ovoid in shape and bear striking decorations. The handle is usually decorated with a lotus-palmette cross or vegetal tendrils. It always terminates in a red-painted ridge. The vase body is painted with several friezes. The uppermost of these, on the shoulder, is usually especially notable. It often contains mythological
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
scenes, but the first erotic
Erotica
Erotica are works of art, including literature, photography, film, sculpture and painting, that deal substantively with erotically stimulating or sexually arousing descriptions...
motifs in Attic vase painting also occur here. Unique motifs include the sacrifice of Polyene. Often, the figures are explained by added inscriptions. The other friezes, usually two to three in number, are often decorated with animals. At times, a frieze is replaced with a vegetal band.
The animal friezes and use of colour resemble Corinthian vase painting. It is likely that the Attic vase painters copied Corinthian examples, so as to improve their products’ attractivity on the Etruscan
Etruria
Etruria—usually referred to in Greek and Latin source texts as Tyrrhenia—was a region of Central Italy, an area that covered part of what now are Tuscany, Latium, Emilia-Romagna, and Umbria. A particularly noteworthy work dealing with Etruscan locations is D. H...
markets. Thus, the Athenian producers entered direct competition with the then market leader, Corinth
Corinth
Corinth is a city and former municipality in Corinthia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Corinth, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit...
, by producing features popular in Etruria, such as neck amphorae and colourful decoration. Corinth only produced few nack amphora.
Thus, the Athenians apparently deliberately served a niche market
Niche market
A niche market is the subset of the market on which a specific product is focusing; therefore the market niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs, as well as the price range, production quality and the demographics that is intended to impact...
. The Etruscans themselves also produced similar vases. The large majority of the nearly 200 Tyrrhenian amphorae now known were found in Etruria. Eraly artists to paints such vases include the Castellani Painter
Castellani Painter
The Castellani Painter was an Attic vase painter of the black-figure style. He was active in the second quarter of the sixth century BC.The Castellani Painter is especially well known for his drawings on Thyrrhenian Amphorae, of which he is considered the most significant painter...
and the Goltyr Painter
Goltyr Painter
The Goltyr Painter was an Attic vase painter of the black-figure style. He was active in the second quarter of the sixth century BC.He is well-known for his work on Tyrrhenian amphorae. He mostly painted animals, often with rather bulous heads.- Bibliography :...
, later ones the Prometheus Painter and the Kyllenios Painter. The Tyrrhenian Group was named after this type of vase.
In his 1983 pape '’On the Dating of the Tyrrhenian Group’’, the British archaeologist Tom Carpenter suggested, on the basis of iconographic and epigraphic considerations, that the vases were produced later than normally assumed, namely between 550 and 530 BC. Further, he raised the possibility that they were produced outside Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, perhaps in northern Attica or even outside Attica.