Beaked Jug

Place of OriginGreece, from Thebes or Chalcis

DateMycenaean, 1425-1400 BCE

Dimensions11 3/4 × 10 1/2 × 10 1/2 in. (29.8 × 26.7 × 26.7 cm)

MediumWheel-thrown, slip-decorated earthenware

ClassificationCeramics

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1971.133

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic

Label TextThree large argonauts, also known as “paper nautiluses,” commonly found in the waters off the coast of Greece, decorate this jug. These octopus-like sea creatures live near the surface of the water and are distinguished by their paper-thin shells. Argonauts received their name from ancient sailors who thought their floating shells resembled small boats. The sailors therefore named them after the famous Argonauts of Greek mythology, most notable for their journey with Jason to find the Golden Fleece. The importance of marine life to Mycenaean culture is often reflected through the decorations found on their artwork.Published ReferencesWittmann, Otto, ed., "Treasures for Toledo," Toledo Museum of Art Museum News, vol. 19, 1976, p. 46.

Boulter, Cedric G., and Kurt T. Luckner, Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, Toledo Museum of Art, fasc. 2, U.S.A. fasc. 20, Mainz, 1982, pl. 63.

Comparative ReferencesSee also Furumark, A., The Mycenaean Pottery, Analysis and Classification, Stockholm, 1941, p. 31, fig. 6, p. 607, no. 144, p. 306-308, fig. 50, pp. 396-400, fig. 69, for the motifs.

cf. von Bothmer, D., Ancient Art from New York Private Collections, New York, 1961, p. 23, no. 99, po. 31, no. 99.

cf. Symeonoglou, S. "Chart of Mycenaean and Late Minoan Pottery," American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 74, no. 3, 1970, pp. 185-188.

cf. Forsdyke, E.J., Catalogue of Greek and Etruscan Vases in the British Museum, London, 1925, vol. I, part I, pl. XII, no. 277, "Late Mycenaean from Italysos."

cf. Blinkenberg, Chr. and K.F. Johnsen, Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, Denmark fasc. 7, Copenhagen, Musée National fasc. 2, Paris, n.d., pl. 63, no. la and b, p. 45.