Le progrès de la technologle du métal et les innovations céramques hellénistiques

Abstract

The hellenistic innovations in pottery are analysed in the context of the technical progress in metallurgy, especially in the fabrication of bronze vessels with walls which are more resistant and adorned with reliefs, produced with lhe lost wax technique. The result was lhe replacement of a pottery inspired in figures engraved or applied in the metal vessels (red figured pottery) by the pottery reproducing the relief scenes of the metallic prototypes. This approach is in contraposition to the traditional studies, which go from simple evidences, such as the larger availability of silver and bronze, to the examination of the arlistic and stylistic character of the mural and pottery painting, looking for the reasons of the replacement of the figured poltery of the classical period by the moulded relief ceramics, of great success also in the roman period.