Kamares Ware Pottery Research Paper

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I am a pottery maker for the king of Crete. I create very elaborate pottery for the king. Two of the types of pottery are known as Kamares ware and Marine Style. These two types of pottery are some of the best pottery that has ever been made in our time. Our pottery is created with a flowing, naturalistic shape and design. We pottery makers put images of animals, sea and plant life on our pottery. Kamares ware was the first distinctive Minoan style of pottery. It was named after the cave sanctuary in Crete where many examples were discovered by archeologists. It is believed that Kamares ware originated from Phaistos, which was once one of the most important centers of civilization in Crete. Kamares ware came about in the Crete society at the same time the pottery wheel was introduced. The pottery wheel made the production of thin walled, symmetrical shaped vessels more efficient. Kamares ware was characterized by very thin walls, robust swollen curves, elegant spouts and decorations. The beauty of …show more content…

The colors were often dense and laid out in vibrant arrangements on a black background. Curves and spirals are most commonly used on Kamares ware although some designs include tassels, rosettes, palms, circles, dots, ribbons, stripes and lattices. Fish and polyps appear on some Kamares ware, foreshadowing the coming Marine style. Human figures found on these wares are usually pretty abstract and appear as almost just another element of design. Some Kamares ware was decorated with handmade flowers attached to the surface of the vessels. This served as a transitional style between the Kamares ware period and the Marine Style period. Kamares ware includes beaked jugs, cups, small boxes, chalices and very large hand-made vases that were sometimes over 1.7m high. These large vases are used for storing oil, wine and grain. Kamares ware is also used as table ware for the wealthy and for

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