The so-called warrior vase (also: warrior vase from Mycenae) dates from the late phase of the Mycenaean culture. The vessel, dated to around 1100 BC (phase SH III C middle), is now in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens (NAMA) with the inventory number 1426. It was excavated in the ‘House of the Warrior Crater’ in Mycenae and is the best-known piece of Mycenaean pottery thanks to its good state of preservation and the completeness of the figurative decoration.
It is a large crater. The painting is executed in black-brown and red slip on a light brown, polished surface, with details additionally highlighted in a matt yellow colour. Warrior scenes are depicted on both sides. A procession of armed men is depicted on the front. They are marching to the right in a long line. They are fully armed with helmets, breastplates and greaves, and carry shields and spears. Small pouches are tied to the spears. Behind them stands a woman, her hand raised in farewell to the soldiers who are obviously going to war. The reverse also depicts armoured warriors wearing differently shaped helmets and brandishing spears. The two double handles of the vessel each converge in the centre in a bull's head relief (bucranion). Two birds can be seen below the handles.
(This description was borrowed from Wikipedia).
The replica of the warrior vase has been restored
.JPG "Warrior vase Crater from Mycenae 1100 BC, 18 cm high, hand-painted")
.JPG "Preview: Warrior vase Crater from Mycenae 1100 BC, 18 cm high, hand-painted")
.JPG "Warrior vase Crater from Mycenae 1100 BC, 18 cm high, hand-painted")
