Attic black-figure miniature plate decorated with swans
Medium:Wheel-thrown earthenware, slip-painted
Geography: Made in Athens, Greece; findspot unknown
Date: about 510-490 BC
Period: Greek Archaic period
Object number: 919.5.106
Credit Line: Sigmund Samuel Collection
Gallery Location:Gallery of Greece
DescriptionThis Athenian miniature plate is decorated on the inside with a frieze of swans which are painted in silhouette (without any incision). On the outside it has black and red circles. Miniatures vases were not used for the same purpose as full-sized vessels. They were dedicated as votive offering, left as grave goods, or even may have been toys. The single hole in the lip of the plate shows that it was hung up, possibly in a sanctuary as a votive gift to the gods. Beazley thought that this plate was painted by someone related to the Swan Group.
