A Greek Geometric pottery neck amphora
Attic, Middle Geometric II, circa 780 - 760 BC
Height: 47.5 cm
Provenance: Collection of Professor Ernst August Cornelius (1898-1983), Berlin, acquired before 1967-68
Private collection, Northern Germany, acquired from the above
Tall neck amphorae such as this were used to hold either liquids or dried food. The form and decoration are typically Middle Geometric as in this period closed shape vessels become taller and slimmer, elegantly formed with a higher centre of gravity than before. The decoration in this period is richer and less restrained. For discussion and similar examples, see J.N Coldstream, Geometric Greece, 900-700 BC, 2003. Cf. British Museum (CVA 9018276) and Leipzig, Antikenmuseum der Universität Leipzig (CVA 1003686).
