Daunian pottery production began around 700 BC in regional centers such as Ordona and Canosa di Puglia.[1] The early designs featured geometric patterns painted on the pottery. These ceramics were hand-formed rather than made on a potter's wheel.[2]
Materials and techniques
Daunian pottery was typically decorated with red, brown, or black earth colors. The common motifs included diamonds, triangles, circles, crosses, squares, arcs, and swastikas. The development of Daunian pottery styles occurred independently from early Greek ceramics.[3]
Forms and styles
Typical Daunian pottery forms include the askos, hopper vessels, and bowls with loop handles. Notably, some pieces feature manual or anthropomorphic protomes attached to or depicted graphically on the sides and handles.[4]
Greek influence
From the 5th century BC, Daunian pottery began to exhibit influences from Greek styles, including the depiction of crude human, bird, and plant figures. Between 350 BC and 250 BC, the decorative styles evolved even further.[5]
Notable artifacts
Some of the notable Daunian pottery artifacts include various geometric designs and forms such as the askos and bowls with loop handles.[6]
Modern studies and collections
Modern archaeological studies have continued to explore and document Daunian pottery. Various museums and collections around the world, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum, house significant collections of Daunian pottery.[7]
Zug, Charles G. III. Turners and Burners: The Folk Potters of North Carolina. Chapel Hill, N.C.: The University of North Carolina Press, 1986.
Huffman, Barry G. Catawba Clay: Contemporary Southern Face Jug Makers. Biltmore Press, 1997.
Beam, Harpe, Smith, & Springs (editors). Two Centuries of Potters; A Catawba Valley Tradition. Lincoln County Historical Association, Exhibition Catalog, 1999.
