Late Mycenaean-style kalathos, Late Italo III period, c. 1150–1050 B.C.

Late Mycenaean-style kalathos, Late Italo III period, c. 1150–1050 B.C.
Terracotta.
Measurements: 19 x 20.5 cm (diameter).
This kalathos represents one of the most characteristic forms of Late Helladic III C pottery, a transitional period between the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age in the eastern Mediterranean. Its flared profile, with open sides and a wide, flared rim—traditionally known as the “top hat” form—makes it an easily recognizable type within the Mycenaean ceramic tradition. Although its name derives from the Greek term kalathos, “basket,” these terracotta vessels replicate the shape of the vegetable baskets used in everyday life. They were primarily used to hold, display, or store food, fruit, textile fibers, and other household items, although numerous examples also come from funerary contexts and sanctuaries, where they may have served a ritual function linked to offerings. Their wide mouth facilitated access to the contents, while their sturdy construction allowed for continuous use in both domestic and ceremonial settings.
The simplicity of their silhouette reflects a profound evolution in the Mycenaean ceramic tradition. Following the collapse of the great palaces toward the end of the 13th century B.C., workshops continued to produce vessels of remarkable technical quality, albeit with a more restrained decorative style and a greater emphasis on the functionality of the forms. The kalathos thus became one of the most representative types of this period, widely distributed throughout the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean.
Beyond their practical utility, these pieces bear witness to the ability of Mycenaean communities to keep their craft traditions alive during a time of profound political and economic transformation. Their formal continuity demonstrates the persistence of technical knowledge passed down through generations.