The Octopus Flask, created roughly around 1500-1450 BCE, caught my attention during the readings of the Aegean art. Constructed in the Palace Period, this Minoan piece shows an evolution of stylistic practices, and tells quite a bit about Crete at the time. This modest marine style vessel draws upon how the culture viewed the sea at the time. Using the sea, Minoans had the ability to connect with the mainland, and explore worldly objects.
Celebrating the sea, and what it had to offer the Minoans, this piece elaborately shows an octopus sprawled over the vessel, with other sea life surrounding it. I think it is amazing, that even when the potter's wheel first was used, that much detail could be put into art. It also makes you wonder what technologies Minoans used to grasp the knowledge of sea life? Although it's facial features aren't incredibly true to form, the rest of the details are quite impressive for a second century marine vessel.