Greek Archaic PeriodAnd Orientalizing Pottery

A Glance Back

• Mycenaean civilization ended around the 12th century B.C.

• The Greek dark ages lasted from 1150-750 century B.C.

• The Geometric Period ranged from about 1050 – 700 BC

• A new phase began thereafter: Orientalizing Period:

Orientalizing Pottery

• The Orientalizing period began approx. 750 BC and ended in approx. 650 century B.C.

• During this period there was an increase in trade between Greece, Egypt and Middle East. This caused the cultures to borrow ideas from each other and the Greek pottery reflected this, hence the name “Orientalizing”, referring to the Middle East and Egypt, not China.

What’s the difference?

Difference in Design

• There is a more realistic rendering of creatures and humans on the pots

• Multiple figures are placed all the way around the piece

Mythological creatures

• Images of sphinx’s and other Egyptian and middle-eastern creatures of myth become common due to influence

Difference in Methods

• Two different groups began to create orientalizing pottery: Athenians and the Corinthians

• The Corinthian orientalizing potter was known as proto-Corinthian

• The Athenian orientalizing pottery was known as proto-attic

Proto-Corinthian

• Proto-Corinthian became much more advanced than its Athenian counterpart

Proto-Attic

• Proto-Attic (Athenian) pottery began later than the proto-Corinthian .

• Their style was based on proto-Corinthian and kept more of the geometric designs of the last period.

A look Forward• These figures that are painted in black are the

first use of a style that will be used more often in a later period known as black figure pottery