This is a very distinctive style of decoration employing evenly thin, red lines painted atop light-colored (slipped or non-slipped) fabrics of vessels of small to medium size, in a manner evoking the texture of woven basketry (Stager 1990). The different variations on this style found in tombs suggests as a whole the group was prized for inclusion as grave goods. The white lime coating may also have decreased porosity of vessels intended for liquids.
Certain vessels, painted in the very precise manner were done by skilled craftspersons with sure hands. It is assumed, albeit without any hard stratigraphic evidence, that vessels in a “pure” style are the inspiration for many types of imitations or “knockoffs”.
The “Pure” Basket Style: Vessels in this style show great skill in painting with very precise lines and borders respected. It is surmised, but not proven, that this was the original style from which all the variants cited below derived. The skill shown in this group suggests they likely derive from the same workshop, which could classify exemplars as a “ware”.
The Debased Style: This includes a group of vessels clearly painted in the basket style, but with some less care. Registers are not respected with stripes cutting across them. It is supposed that these represent a lessening in the skill of the painters, although the basic patterns are maintained.
Derived Styles: These are represented by vessels that are painted so as to minimally follow the patterns of The Pure Style. Some examples are painted with more or less vertical lines that cross horizontal stripes, vaguely reflect a basketry pattern. Other derivations of the basket style suggest the basic idea of a woven pattern, but do not follow any strict template. In another group only vertical lines are preserved. A bowl painted in broad lines that vaguely suggest a woven pattern seems to be a potter’s attempt at imitating the basket style, although without cognizance of the true meaning of the pattern. A jar with a rest for a dipper juglet seems to be a potter’s attempt at imitating the general idea of the painting associating with the basket style but it appears that she or he was unaware of the underlying motif. Another similar jar painted in a style somewhat similar to the original (Pl. 3.16:18) is a miniature or votive example of this morphological type.
Possible Related Painted Types: Some elaborately painted vessels from the Central and Dead Sea Regions may also be derived from the style, but that is uncertain. Those vessels tend to be painted with great skill. Many small vessels from those same regions may also ultimately derive from the style, but they have lost the underlying meaning of the template.
Regional Distribution: Vessels decorated in these styles are found primarily in the region of Jericho, the central hill country around Jerusalem, and in the northeastern Shephelah.
