Ancient Greek Pottery

Q: What are the four main types of Greek pottery?

There are four main types of Greek pottery: Geometric, Corinthian, Athenian Black-figure, and Athenian red-figure pottery.

Q: What is Greek pottery known for?

Greek pottery is known for its distinctive shapes like the two-handled amphora, single-stem cup (kylix), and various types of jugs (oinochoai). Greek pottery is often decorated with geometric shapes or figures from Greek mythology. Used for everyday purposes, Greek pottery has been found across the ancient world.

Q: What is ancient Greek pottery made of?

Ancient Greek pottery was made of clay which was then fired in an oven at a high temperature. The best clay was in Attica where its high iron content gave the pottery a rich orange-red colour.

Q: What is the difference between black-figure and red-figure Greek pottery?

In Greek pottery, black-figure (the earliest) has figures (humans, gods and animals) in black against a reddish background. Red-figure is the opposite and has red figures against a black or white background.

Mark Cartwright

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Definition

Greek pottery has four main types: Geometric, Corinthian, Athenian Black-figure, and Athenian red-figure pottery. Pottery vessels were made for everyday use such as the two-handled amphora for storage, the single-stem kylix cup for drinking wine, and the three-handled hydra for holding water. Greek pottery was often decorated with geometric designs or images from Greek mythology.

More about: Ancient Greek Pottery

Timeline

c. 1000 BCE
The first distinctive Greek pottery is produced, the Proto-geometric style.
c. 900 BCE
The Geometric style of Greek pottery is first produced.
c. 800 BCE
The first stylized human and animal figures appear on Greek Geometric pottery.
c. 625 BCE
Black-figure pottery created in Corinth.
c. 625 BCE - 600 BCE
The orientalizing style of Greek pottery becomes popular in Corinth.
c. 620 BCE - 600 BCE
Proto-corinthian reaches its zenith in artistic quality producing the best pottery in Greece.
600 BCE - 480 BCE
Attic black-figure pottery dominates the greek ceramic market.
600 BCE - 550 BCE
Laconia produces black-figure pottery.
570 BCE
First signed example of black-figure pottery by Sophilos.
c. 570 BCE - c. 560 BCE
The black-figure Francois Vase is produced in Attica by Ergotimos (potter) and Kleitias (painter).
570 BCE - 560 BCE
Kleitias, one of the masters of black-figure pottery decoration is active.
560 BCE - 520 BCE
Chalkidian black-figure pottery is produced in southern Italy.
545 BCE - 530 BCE
Exekias, perhaps the greatest black-figure pottery painter is active.
c. 530 BCE
Red-figure pottery style takes precedent over black-figure.
530 BCE
The Andokides Painter invents red-figure pottery.
520 BCE - 500 BCE
The Pioneer Group of red-figure painters is active.
510 BCE - 470 BCE
The Kleophrades Painter of red-figure pottery is active.
500 BCE - 460 BCE
Douris, the red-figure pottery painter is active.
490 BCE - 460 BCE
The Berlin Painter of red-figure pottery is active.
480 BCE - 450 BCE
The Pan Painter of red-figure pottery is active.
470 BCE
The Providence Painter of red-figure pottery is active.
470 BCE - 425 BCE
The Achilles Painter of red-figure pottery is active.
440 BCE
The Eretria Painter of red-figure pottery is active.
420 BCE - 400 BCE
The Meidias Painter of red-figure pottery is active.
400 BCE - 375 BCE
The Meleager Painter of red-figure pottery is active.
320 BCE
Last recorded examples of Attic Red-Figure Pottery.