Ceramano form 201, Pergamon decor (1960), 30cm

Discoveries of ancient Greek shipwrecks, the subsequent excavations of their pottery and coins, and the popular public exhibitions held as a result fired the imagination of the public in the 50s — and ceramics companies like West Germany’s Ceramano responded accordingly. Their 1960 “Pergamon” range (named after the ancient Greek city located near the Aegean in what is now Turkey) was among several lines they created to satisfy the public’s fascination with the ancient world. The range — with its “distressed” blue underglaze suggesting a thousand-year nap at the bottom of the ocean, triangular and swirl decors acting as simpler versions of Greek meander and Vitruvian scroll designs, and horses reminiscent of those found on Greek amphorae — is a fun mix of old and new (the 201 form, a more angular and modern version of classic Mycenaean jug, also adds to the overall feeling of “ancient find”). While I like the piece aesthetically, I find it serves as a nice reminder of our connection with humanity over time. We may have troubles today, both small and large, but so did our ancient ancestors — and if they could succeed, so can we.