Flowerpots

Flowerpot. Before the 20th century there were no special types of plant pot in the Cretan countryside. People used old or damaged common clay pots. Modern flowerpots are inspired by classic vessels such as beehives or vraskia, with incised or relief decoration.

TOYS

Marioliko kanataki (jug). “Marioliko” means “funny”, in the sense of both amusing and strange. These complex pottery objects were probably imported during the 19th century. The jug is filled with water to the lower hole in the neck. Anyone trying to drink from the spout without putting his finger over the little hole inside the upper part of the handle, will be soaked from the two holes in the neck.

Marioliko cup. Of similar construction to the above and with the same result if the little hole is not closed.

Marioliko whistle. A small round jug with a handle and a long, thin, protruding spout with a cleft in the upper surface. If you fill the jug with water and blow down the spout, it sounds like a bird warbling. The sound changes depending on the level of the water in the jug.

Koubaras (piggy bank). Probably an imported form. These are small pots with no neck and with a horizontal slit in the top for coins and notes. One type has a handle on top, while the other has a rounded top.