Glossary Pottery and vessels
Open and closed shapes
Also called: open vessel, closed vessel
The basic division of vessel forms: open shapes have a mouth as wide as the body, closed shapes narrow to a neck or small opening.
Open shapes, such as bowls, cups, dishes and kraters, can be reached into and are mainly for serving, mixing and drinking. Closed shapes, such as jugs, juglets, jars and bottles, restrict access to the contents and are mainly for pouring, storing and transport. The division is a first step in any description of pottery shapes.
It also helps explain trade. At Amarna in Egypt about nine-tenths of the Cypriot pottery studied is from closed vessels, a sign that buyers wanted the oils and other liquids they held, while Mycenaean imports to Cyprus include both closed containers and open vessels for drinking.
Related terms
- Krater
A large, wide-mouthed bowl or jar used for mixing wine with water before serving, usually with two handles.
- Stirrup jar
A closed jar with a solid false neck on top, bridged by two handles like a stirrup, and a separate spout on the shoulder for pouring oil.
- Ware
A class of pottery defined by a shared fabric, surface treatment and way of making, such as Red Polished or White Painted ware.
Where it appears
- Bowls
- Drab Polished Ware
- Mycenaean Imports and Local Imitations
- White Painted Wheelmade Ware
- Bottles
- Dishes and Plates
- Egypt
- Pottery Shapes
- Red-on-White Ware
- Wavy Lines
- White Painted Ware
- Base Ring Bull Vessels
and 12 more compendium pages