Little-Master Cup

Little-master cups are a type of Attic black-figure - shells, which were produced in the middle and in the 3rd quarter of the 6th century BC. They are named after her petite, small-format painting.

Little-master cups are younger than Sianaschalen, both forms were still produced a long time. The little master painted only the small upper frieze above the "knee " of the shells, possibly the lip or the Henkel zones. Probably only a few Sianaschalenmaler have also painted little master shells. One of the first artists who introduced this form vases in Athens, Kleitias was; the first vase painter, currently the minor masters shells can be attributed to the Kassandra Painter. The change of decoration was accompanied by a stretching of the shell feet. Little Masters rarely have more types vases painted ( though also frequently Kleinmeister shells are known from good painters larger vases ). Stylistic comparisons between large and small vases fall hard today.

Of the small masters many signatures are known ( especially in edge shells) because the signature were often used as part of the overall decor. It outweigh signatures of potters, which is not least because the quality of the pottery often surpasses that of the paintings.

Types and related and derived forms

• Strip shells
• Gordionschalen
• Edge bowls
• Band skyphoi