Oops! An Ancient Mistake

This Gnathian oinochoe shows us that the ancients made mistakes too! Gnathian pottery was produced in Apulia in the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE; the technique involved painting details over a black glazed surface.

Our vase was overfired, as large areas of the black glaze have reverted to orange, which normally occurs when the kiln reaches temperatures over 1050℃. The painted decoration, usually white, yellow or red, has also turned black as a result of misfiring. The original scheme of decoration is visible in silhouette form: it includes a painted ogive pattern at the neck, below which is a key pattern. Incision was also used at the neck to articulate the painted decoration.

A waster, as failures in the firing process are called, this oinochoe was probably thrown away and, as a result, damaged at the time of its disposal.

Author: Chloé Storm