Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Oinochoe; Attributed to the Swallow Painter; ca. 600 BCE; 69.64

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleOinochoe

About this objectThis jug, known as an oinochoe, gets its name from its function, pouring wine. Oinochoe came from the Greek terms οἶνος (oinos), meaning "wine", and χέω (khéō), meaning "I pour." This vase has a characteristic curving handle and trefoil mouth.

The Orientalizing period connected Etruscan arts with Eastern Mediterranean culture. The Etruscans highly valued Greek painted vases, especially the Corinthian style, and these styles greatly influenced their own artists as more migrants set up workshops in the region. This vase has been attributed to the Swallow Painter, who appears to have migrated from East Greece. The decoration is comparable to a number of other vases attributed to them, seemingly manufactured at Vulci in Etruria.

A major influence in this period was pictorial motifs from the East: palmettes, animal hunts, and mythical beasts like griffins, sphinxes, and sirens. This jug has been decorated with dot-rosettes (flowers), meanders, and animals (goats and birds). On the lip of the jug eyes have been painted either side of the spout, somewhat resembling a bird or the front of a ship. Eyes on the prow of a boat were a common symbol for protection, and perhaps the eyes also gave some protection to the contents of the jug and the one who would use it.

MakerAttributed to the Swallow Painter

Maker RoleArtist

Date Madeca. 600 BCE

PeriodArchaic

Place MadeItaly

Place NotesLikely manufactured at Vulci, Etruria

Medium and MaterialsCeramic: Pottery

Style and IconographyEtruscan

Style and IconographyOrientalising

TechniqueThrowing (pottery technique)

MeasurementsHeight (including handle) 272mm; Height (at lip) 232mm; Diameter 203mm

Subject and Association KeywordsAnimals in art

Subject and Association KeywordsBirds in art

Subject and Association KeywordsRepetition (aesthetics)

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LinePurchased, 1964.

Object TypeFood Service Vessels

Object number69.64