Part VII. The Fishermen Vase
Published in Annual of the British School at Athens Supplementary Volume 53 , 2024
Abstract
The Fishermen Vase, a unique example of the Black and Red style pottery from Phylakopi, presents a detailed depiction of four male figures holding fish, rendered with striking naturalism and geometric cohesion. The iconography, featuring distinct anatomical proportions, stylized facial features, and intricate decorative elements, suggests a sophisticated artistic approach. Discovered near the ‘Pillar Crypt’ at Phylakopi, its stratigraphic context and stylistic characteristics place it within the Middle to Late Cycladic I period (Phylakopi II–III), though its extended use-life complicates precise dating. Comparative analysis highlights parallels with Minoan seals and the Fishermen frescoes from Akrotiri, raising questions about cross-cultural influences and thematic continuities in Aegean art. Interpretations of the scene range from a simple celebration of fishing to a ritual or social function, possibly linked to the symbolic importance of the depicted fish species. Despite its ambiguity, the Fishermen Vase stands as a remarkable and singular artifact within Aegean pictorial pottery, offering valuable insights into Cycladic artistic conventions, maritime engagement, and socio-cultural expressions.
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Recommended citation: Nuttall, C. and Theodoropoulou, K. (2024). “Part VII. The Fishermen Vase”, in R.L.N. Barber, Phylakopi, Melos, 1896-99: The Finds in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens, (BSA Supplementary Volume 53; London, 267–269.