Grecian Vessel

Name: Grecian Vessel
 
Type: Greek souvenir pottery vase
 
Year: Late 20th century (c. 1970s–1990s)
 
Set: No
 
Mark: Unknown - Marked “Made in Greece” (unattributed; typical of mass-produced souvenir pottery)
 
History: This vase is a classic example of Greek souvenir pottery, styled after ancient "black-figure" Attic vases but produced in the late 20th century for the tourist market. The form is inspired by ancient amphorae, with two loop handles and a bulbous body. The decoration features stylized figures and Greek key (meander) borders, echoing mythological or festival scenes from ancient Greek ceramics. The color palette—matte black, red, and white—imitates the ancient black-figure technique, though it is transfer-printed or painted on modern pottery.
 
 
The base is stamped "MADE IN GREECE," which, together with the roughness and slightly uneven hand-finishing, points to its status as a decorative or souvenir piece rather than an artist-signed collectible. These vases were—and still are—ubiquitous in Greek tourist shops from the 1970s onward, often sold as decorative mementos.
 
Flaws: A few very small chips in paint