Pontic Group

As Pontic vases a sub- style of the Etruscan- black-figure vases painting the 2nd half of the 6th century BC is known. There are about 200 vases known of this group today.

The misleading name " Pontic " got the vases of Ferdinand Dümmler following the presentation of archers on a vase, which was thought to be Scythians, who lived on the Black Sea ( Pontus ).

By locality and style the Pontic vases are, however, been recognized as Etruscan. The majority of the vases found in graves in Vulci, another significant part in Cerveteri. The style is based on the Attic black-figure vase painting, but also includes influences of the Corinthian and East Greek vase painting of. It is sometimes assumed that the vases were produced in workshops in Etruria of immigrants from Ionia craftsmen. Research has identified five main vase painters today. As the earliest and best applies to the Paris Painter, followed by Tityus painter.

Index form is the neck amphora, which is built remarkably slim. They are very similar Tyrrhenian amphorae. Other forms were oinochoai with spiral handles, Dinoi, Kyathos, plates and cups hochfußige, rare kantharos or others. The structure of Pontic vases is similar. Generally they have on the neck of an ornamental adornment on the shoulder followed by a figural frieze, it was followed by another ornamental band, which an animal frieze, and finally a halo joined. Foot, neck and handles are black. Striking is the high value of the ornaments. Sometimes vessels are purely ornamental decorations.

The tone of the vases is yellowish - red, the glossy slip which the vases were coated black to brownish- reddish, is of high quality and has a metallic shine. Red and white opaque color is used a lot for figures as well as the ornaments. Animals was usually decorated with a white stripe on the abdomen. The ornaments were often designed rather sloppy. Shown are mythological figures as a beardless Hermes, Centaurs, Theseus, Minotaur, Achilles and Troilus, satyrs, maenads, and as usual in Eastern Greece a beardless Heracles. There are also scenes from the Trojan cycle of legends. Sometimes scenes are outside the Greek mythology about Heracles fighting Juno Sospita of Paris painter or a wolf demon of Tityus painter. Outside the mythological themes can be found Komasten and rider.