Marble vase with high foot and lug handles

Technical Analysis: Ultraviolet-induced visible luminescence examination





This marble collared jar with a high pedestal and four crescent-shaped, perforated lugs is mostly intact except for some minor chips. The execution is symmetrical and balanced. It has a high conical neck, a wide round mouth with a thick, rounded everted rim, a hemispherical body and a compact conical foot. The base of the foot has a shallow concave hollow and thick rounded edge. The conical neck broadens toward the flat shoulder of the body delineated by a smooth groove. The four long, vertical, crescent-shaped lug handles, carved crosswise at equidistance, protrude considerably from the body of the jar. They are perforated at the same level and partially cut into the sides. On the interior walls, circular striations that have been smoothened suggest the use of a bow drill and subsequent finishing. Its small size goes well with the range of this vessel discussed by Pat Getz–Gentle.(1) In the Stern Collection of Cycladic Art, L.2022.38.79, .130, .91, .81 and .143 seem to be of similar size. L.2022.38.39, which is a schematic violin-shaped figurine, is said to have been found in the same grave.





The jar has suffered erosion and minor chipping at high points, particularly at the lip, lug handles and around the foot. There is a thick brown calcareous encrustation on the bottom of the foot and inside the holes of all four lugs. On the rest of the exterior, however, this accretion appears to have been mechanically pared down. Scattered root marks are visible on the exterior. Scratches, that appear to be fresh, are noticeable around the lug handles and on the edge of the raised foot.





Georgios Gavalas and J-F de Lapérouse





(1) Getz-Gentle, Pat. The Stone Vessels of the Cyclades in the Early Bronze Age, The Pennsylvania State University Press, 1996, p. 5-39. Its closest parallel in size and other features is A6 (Athens NAM 3940 from Amorgos; ead 1996, p. 238, pl.12a.