One-handled cup decorated with floral designs, 1500-1450 BCE, Ashmolean Museum AN1938.476 . © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Floral Cup

Dimensions h. 8.9 cm, dia. 11.4 cm
Materials ceramic
Accession AN1938.476
Findspot Knossos
View in Collection

This cup is decorated with stylised flowers, which resemble those of an olive tree. The paint has been directly applied to the bare surface of the vessel before firing resulting in a ‘dark-on-light’ design, which becomes prevalent in this period. The cup has a spout which suggests that it could have been used for pouring as well as drinking.

One-handled cup decorated with floral designs, 1500-1450 BCE, Ashmolean Museum AN1938.476 . © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford