Ceramic Decoration
Slavic Ceramics distinguish themselves through the presence of decoration applied overwhelmingly on the outer surface of the vessel. The motifs are geometrical, and they seem to indicate a certain stylistic preference for comb-like continuous line patterns. The decoration was achieved by incising or inscribing the motif into the walls of the vessel prior to its firing. Painted decoration is unknown for this ceramic group, although paint may have been applied in specific cases.The presence or absence of decoration is used heavily in the typological classification of Slavic ceramics, and in some cases (Sukow vs. Feldberg, for example), the presence of decoration is sufficient to classify the ceramic object as a Feldberg type. It is assumed almost unanimously that undecorated ceramics mark the earliest stage of this group in Europe, while decorated ceramics represents a later stage in the chronological appearance of ceramic vessels of Slavic provenience. Nevertheless, decorated ceramics can be found also in some of the earliest stages of the group.
Ceramic decoration came to be predominant in the Middle Slavic Period (9-10th c. AD). There seems to be no apparent difference between decorated and undecorated vessels as regarding shape. The decoration in this period, consists in either simple or double wawy lines or most commonly in parallel lines running in clusters of four or more. This pattern is known as the comb-like linear pattern.
The second large group appeared in the Late Slavic Period, and is represented by a series of parallel horizontal lines that repeat themselves on the entire upper body, continuing sometimes down to the base of the vessel. The geometrization of the motifs is clear, and it appears to be a stylistic simplification of existing patterns.These ceramics came to be classified as the linear-band decorated ceramics.
The Germania-Slavica study area includes also vessels with unusual decoration, where the pattern is formed by tooth-pick clustered holes in a repeated pattern on the uppermost part of the vessel's body. Other ceramics exhibit stamp-like patterns of indented small circles.
October 23, 2007
