An Unrecognized Mycenaean Tripod Cauldron in the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

Abstract

A tripod cauldron in the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, previously classed as Proto-Geometric, evidently comes from a Mycenaean tholos or chamber grave. Its period of origin lies between the older bellied forms of Minoan tripod cauldrons of the phase LM IIIA, with which it shares rim-placed ring handles, and Mycenaean specimens from the phase LH IIIC and also the sub-Mycenaean period, which however already possess pull handles and, in the sub-Mycenaean phase, combined pull and ring handles. The precision of the workmanship and the elegant form show it to be a masterpiece from the peak of Mycenaean culture. The actual function of such relatively small tripod cauldrons has not been established yet. It may be assumed that they had an important function in banquets.