APC Image: AK 1110: Middle Helladic mattpainted ware. Left: a high-necked jar of a rare variety mattpainted with the decoration in white matt on a dark ground. The clay is gritty, fired red on the edges and dark gray to black at the core. The surface varies from red to black; the mattpaint is a creamy white, which is put on thinly. The pattern consists of single lines which sweep across the body of the vase in curves and long triangular figures. A series of short horizontal lines are on the handle. The mattpaint is fast disappearing. Centre and right: Rather coarse red clay which is covered on the outside with a thick light colored (white or creamy white) slip. The slip serves as a background for the decoration which is put on it in dark mattpaint. This slip is really a wash which rubs off easily.