Artist
Unknown

Date
Mycenaean, 1375-1300 B.C.

Dimensions
H: 16 1/8 in. (40.9 cm); Max Diam (body): 42 5/32 in. (107.1 cm); Diam (lip): 6 5/16 in. (16 cm); Diam (foot): 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm)

Medium
terracotta ceramic

Place From
Greece

Classification
Ceramics

Cost to Adopt
$5,500

This ceramic is exhibiting signs of salt efflorescence, which is a result of the piece being in an archaeological setting for a long period of time. Ground water in archaeological settings penetrate the clay body and, once the piece is removed from the ground, the water evaporates but some salts may remain. As the object experiences fluctuating environmental conditions, these salts may resolubilize and move through the clay body, depositing on the surface. Salt reduction is done by using multiple rounds of water baths to solubilize and remove the salts from the clay body. If previous repair areas exist, they may be disintegrated by the desalination process. Additional repairs to the ceramic may be necessary after desalination.