Greek bowl with palmettes decoration

ITEM: Bowl with palmettes decoration
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Greek
PERIOD: 4th Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 45 mm x 136 mm diameter
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1990

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 4 to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the amount of the sale, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Greek bowls with palmette decoration were a prominent feature of ancient Greek pottery, particularly during the Archaic and Classical periods (6th–4th centuries BCE). The palmette, a stylized floral motif resembling the spread leaves of a palm tree, was a popular decorative element in Greek art, often used in both architectural ornamentation and ceramics. These bowls, typically made of terracotta, were produced using the black-figure and red-figure techniques, with the palmettes either painted or incised onto the surface. The symmetrical and elegant design of palmettes made them a favored motif, frequently arranged in bands around the exterior of the bowl, sometimes interspersed with volutes, tendrils, or lotus flowers, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.

The use of palmette decoration on Greek bowls was not merely ornamental; it carried symbolic and cultural significance. Palmettes were often associated with divine or sacred themes, appearing in religious and funerary contexts. In some cases, they framed mythological scenes, serving as decorative borders around central figures or narratives depicted on the vessels. The motif’s presence in both domestic and ritual settings suggests that it was considered a prestigious and meaningful design, reinforcing connections to nature, fertility, and artistic refinement. Bowls with palmette decorations were widely used in symposiums (drinking parties), where they held wine and other beverages, indicating their role in both everyday life and social gatherings.

Greek palmette-decorated bowls were produced in major pottery centers such as Athens and Corinth and were extensively traded across the Mediterranean. Their discovery in regions as far as Italy, Egypt, and the Black Sea highlights the widespread influence of Greek ceramic artistry. Many of these vessels have been found in tombs, sanctuaries, and domestic spaces, demonstrating their lasting cultural significance.