[Illustration: Fig. 167. Bottle with decoration of meandered lines--½.]
[Illustration: Fig. 168. Bottle with arched panels and geometric devices--½.]
Somewhat similar also in general effect to the last example is the work upon another important series of vases. Instead of the simple meandered or zigzag arrangement of parts, two of the dividing lines of the zone run tangent to the neck of the vase on opposite sides, forming arched panels and leaving upright panels between. In the example presented in Fig. 168 the arched areas are filled in with lattice-like arrangements of lines. In others we have dots, checkers, and varied geometric combinations, and in very many cases the figures are derived from life forms. The same may be said of the devices that occupy the spaces between the arches. The piece shown in Fig. 169 exhibits a somewhat more elaborate treatment, but the motives and arrangements are much the same. These vessels are peculiar in the treatment of the ground. The entire surface is red, with the exception of narrow bands of light ground color, which outline the arches and encircle the periphery. In other cases these bands are red, the remainder of the ground being light. Series of lines are drawn from the lower border of the zone to the center of the base of the body.
[Illustration: Fig. 169. Bottle with arched panels and elaborate devices--½.]
[Illustration: Fig. 170. Vase with rosette-like panels--½.]
[Illustration: Fig. 170_a_. Ornament from vase shown in Fig. 170.]
In a small group of vases we have a radiate ornament within the arches and in a few cases the arched lines are continued down around the base of the vessel, forming vertical circles in which rosette-like designs are formed by repeating the radiate figures in an inverted position below the peripheral line. The elaboration in these circular inclosures is very remarkable, as will be seen by reference to the three examples given in Figs. 170, 171, and 172. In the first case the peripheral line is a red band nearly one-half an inch wide and the rays appear in groups above and below it. Within the four broader black rays (Fig. 170_a_), which are the interspaces or remnants of the ground, groups of lines have been drawn, in most cases curved at the inner ends like an opening frond and accompanied in all cases by series of dots. An examination of a number of vessels shows various degrees of convention. It is clear, however, that these devices, showing curves, hooks, and dots, are not of technical or mechanical origin, but that they refer to delineative originals of which they are survivals; but we must remain in the dark as to what the originals were or what was the precise nature of the idea associated with them in the mind of the decorator. Another question refers to the arrangement of the parts of the design in the five preceding figures. The distribution of the designs is a matter of great interest, and much may be learned from a close study of these specimens.