Let's move to ancient Greece!
Today, we will show you ... a plate. Its surface features a decorative design including an octopus, a bream positioned with its belly towards the center, and a gurnard with its belly facing the rim. Additionally, there is a scallop showing a part of its red mantle between the bream and the gurnard, a starfish situated just above the octopus, a mussel, and a cockle. Encircling the central depression is a counter-clockwise wave pattern. The overhanging rim is adorned with a berried ivy motif, where the white berries resemble the octopus's suckers. (The underside of the plate is mostly plain, except for a black ring painted just outside the top of the stem.)
The plate was made in the 4th century BCE. Amazing, isn't it; especially the smiling octopus!
P.S. Our sale is still on! Check out our online courses and enroll now with a 25% discount! And if you'd like to learn how to look at unexpected pieces like this, try first our free course on How To Look At Art :)
P.P.S. The world of ancient Greek pottery is so abundant. There are different types of vases, ornaments, and materials used in them. Here's all you need to know about Greek pottery!
Attributed to the Binningen Painter