ITEM: Plate MATERIAL: Pottery CULTURE: Greek PERIOD: 4th Century B.C DIMENSIONS: 34 mm x 130 mm diameter CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1990 Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license. If you bid outside the European union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks. Greek plates, or pinakes, were important pieces of pottery used in everyday life and also served ritualistic purposes. These plates were typically shallow with wide, flat surfaces, making them ideal for holding food and serving meals. Greek pottery, especially in the forms of plates and dishes, developed significantly during the Archaic and Classical periods, when pottery styles evolved to incorporate more sophisticated shapes and decorative elements. Plates were often made from terracotta and then coated with a slip that would harden during firing, giving them a smooth, finished look. Their size and shape varied, with some designed for individual servings and others crafted as larger platters for communal dining. The decorative motifs on Greek plates were diverse, often reflecting the artistic trends of their time. In the early periods, plates featured simple geometric designs, but by the Classical period, they were decorated with intricate scenes of mythology, daily life, and nature, particularly in the black-figure and red-figure techniques. Mythological scenes on plates were not merely decorative; they served an educational purpose, allowing Greek households to pass down legends and cultural ideals through the imagery displayed on everyday objects. Some plates depicted scenes from the lives of the gods, heroes, or traditional mythological stories, while others showed scenes of athletic competitions, hunting, or banqueting, giving a glimpse into the activities that were valued in Greek society. Greek plates also had significant ritual uses, especially as votive offerings in temples or burial items placed in tombs. These votive plates were often inscribed or decorated with symbols intended to honor the gods or convey wishes for the afterlife. In funerary contexts, plates might serve as part of the grave goods, symbolizing the continuation of feasting and community in the afterlife.