Greek Key Collection

Explore the timeless allure of the Greek Key design, a captivating motif rooted in ancient history

Greek Key Collection: Antiquities found near Head-Quarters, before Sebastopol, 1856. Creator: Edward Alfred Goodall

Antiquities found near Head-Quarters, before Sebastopol, 1856. Creator: Edward Alfred Goodall
Antiquities found near Head-Quarters, before Sebastopol, 1856. Times correspondent:. specimens of the various antiquities found in an ancient building discovered by Colonel Monroe, 39th Regiment

Greek Key Collection: Figures upon a Vase recently found at Cumae, 1856. Creator: Unknown

Figures upon a Vase recently found at Cumae, 1856. Creator: Unknown
Figures upon a Vase recently found at Cumae, [Italy], 1856. Design on an ancient Greek vase showing...the battle between the Greeks and the Amazons, and it is somewhat of a peculiarity that

Greek Key Collection: Young women. From left: Karen Bramsen; the artist's wife Esther, née Lange; Johanne Munch... 1904

Young women. From left: Karen Bramsen; the artist's wife Esther, née Lange; Johanne Munch... 1904
Young women. From left: Karen Bramsen; the artist's wife Esther, nee Lange; Johanne Munch-Petersen, 1904

Greek Key Collection: Esquisse pour l'église Saint-François-Xavier : La mission des Apôtres, c.1868

Esquisse pour l'église Saint-François-Xavier : La mission des Apôtres, c.1868. Creator: Romain Cazes
Esquisse pour l'eglise Saint-Francois-Xavier : La mission des Apotres, c.1868. Jesus and the Apostles

Greek Key Collection: Na Rafaela; A zigzag journey through Mexico, 1875. Creator: Thomas Mayne Reid

Na Rafaela; A zigzag journey through Mexico, 1875. Creator: Thomas Mayne Reid
Na Rafaela; A zigzag journey through Mexico, 1875. From, Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates. [Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, c1880, London]

Greek Key Collection: Gazzangia [sic], between 1855 and 1865. Creator: Unknown

Gazzangia [sic], between 1855 and 1865. Creator: Unknown
Gazzangia [sic], between 1855 and 1865. [Italian opera singer Marietta Gazzaniga]

Greek Key Collection: Olpe, 4th century BC (Glazed ceramic clay with added white paint)

Olpe, 4th century BC (Glazed ceramic clay with added white paint)
3576958 Olpe, 4th century BC (Glazed ceramic clay with added white paint) by Italian Peninsula, (4th century BC); 12.4x7.6 cm; North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, USA; (add.info.:); Gift of Mr

Greek Key Collection: Greek No 1, Plate XV, from The Grammar of Ornament

Greek No 1, Plate XV, from The Grammar of Ornament
STC286215 Greek No 1, Plate XV, from The Grammar of Ornament by Owen Jones (1809-68) (colour litho) by Jones, Owen (1809-74); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Greek Key Collection: Neck Amphora, c. 530-520 BC (Black-figure ceramic with added red and white paint)

Neck Amphora, c. 530-520 BC (Black-figure ceramic with added red and white paint)
3576947 Neck Amphora, c.530-520 BC (Black-figure ceramic with added red and white paint) by Three-Line Group (fl.c.530 BC) (attr.to); 41.9x31.1 cm; North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh

Greek Key Collection: Greek No 8, Plate XXII, from The Grammar of Ornament

Greek No 8, Plate XXII, from The Grammar of Ornament
STC286222 Greek No 8, Plate XXII, from The Grammar of Ornament by Owen Jones (1809-1868) (colour litho) by Jones, Owen (1809-74); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English

Greek Key Collection: Girl in a grecian dress (colour photo)

Girl in a grecian dress (colour photo)
3095980 Girl in a grecian dress (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Girl in a grecian dress. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Greek Key Collection: Table, Kangxi period (1662-1722) (lacquered wood & hemp cloth) (see also 272134)

Table, Kangxi period (1662-1722) (lacquered wood & hemp cloth) (see also 272134)
HSC272135 Table, Kangxi period (1662-1722) (lacquered wood & hemp cloth) (see also 272134) by Chinese School, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912); 73.5x96.5x66 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Greek Key Collection: Two women wearing walking dresses accompanied by a man, c1810. Artist: W Read

Two women wearing walking dresses accompanied by a man, c1810. Artist: W Read
Two women wearing walking dresses accompanied by a man, c1810. Both of the women are wearing high waisted muslin dresses. The woman on the right is also wearing a shawl that covers her head which is

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

Explore the timeless allure of the Greek Key design, a captivating motif rooted in ancient history. From Na Rafaela's zigzag journey through Mexico in 1875, as depicted by Thomas Mayne Reid, to the enigmatic Gazzangia piece from the mid-19th century, this decorative pattern has traversed continents and centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, as evidenced by the Olpe vase from the 4th century BC, showcasing the Greek Key design in glazed ceramic clay with added white paint. The pattern continued to inspire artists and artisans, as seen in the intricate black-figure ceramics of the 5th century BC, such as the Neck Amphora. Fast forward to the 19th century, and the Greek Key design graced the pages of Owen Jones' "The Grammar of Ornament, " with Plates XV and XXII showcasing its versatility. The design even made its way into fashion, with a girl elegantly dressed in a Greek-inspired gown, and into home decor, as seen in the Kangxi period table with its lacquered wood and hemp cloth. The Greek Key design continues to captivate us today, as two women in walking dresses are accompanied by a man in an 1810 painting, and the mystery of its origins only adds to its enduring appeal.