After the decline of Mycenaean culture on the Greek mainland, culture, economy and technology did not recover until the beginning of the 9th and 8th centuries BC. This phase of Greek art and culture is called the 'Geometric Period' by scholars. It is derived from the geometric decorations used on the ceramic vessels of this period, which used circles, zigzag patterns, triangles, lozenges, groups of strokes and chequerboard patterns in rhythmic succession after the freer design of the Mycenaean period. From about 800 BC onwards, this design form of patterns was broken up by the inclusion of figurative motifs - grazing animals, warriors or chariot rides, as on this amphora.
The depiction of this amphora refers to the chariot processions and chariot races associated with the Greek cult of the dead. Thus, the amphora was also used as a burial object.
This neck amphora is the lead piece of the workshop list of the group 'Athens 894'. (AVS)
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