The early stirrup-jars were not distinguished by special type; i.e., the sizes and shapes varied within a maximum height of 45 centimetres (18 in).
They were all from "domestic deposits," yet some had features suggesting export: instead of the two stirrup handles, a disk supported by three handles, and a true spout with two or three horns (we should say lugs) on its sides.
The lugs could be for lashing down a cloth (Homeric kredemnon) over a stopper (no stoppers have been found).
The disk had one or two holes on the edge, possibly for ties holding a stopper or a shipping tag.
Haskell suggests an identity tag marking the owner.

By LM I B, the smaller Cretan jars had developed into one of the two subsequent major types, the "fine ware," which Haskell proposes spread to the rest of the eastern Mediterranean: LH I B, LC I A, etc.,
and the equivalent periods on Cyprus and Rhodes.
Those cultures were predominantly Mycenaean.
Before then, while Knossos was still under the Linear A administration, the stirrup jar moves into the Cyclades and is found at Akrotiri before the volcanic eruption.
The smaller and finer instances were found in the living spaces.
The storerooms contained larger and coarser stirrup jars.
Haskell hypothesizes that the smaller were used for decanting from pithoi and for temporary storage.

What makes a stirrup jar "fine" is the grain size of the clay.
Powdered clay results in a smooth surface. "
Coarse ware," or coarse texture, means a surface similar to that of oatmeal, composed of larger grains, formed by admixture with quartz (sand) and particles of other minerals.
The early stirrup-jars were not distinguished by special type; i.e., the sizes and shapes varied within a maximum height of 45 centimetres (18 in). They were all from "domestic deposits," yet some had features suggesting export: instead of the two stirrup handles, a disk supported by three handles, and a true spout with two or three horns (we should say lugs) on its sides. The lugs could be for lashing down a cloth (Homeric kredemnon) over a stopper (no stoppers have been found). The disk had one or two holes on the edge, possibly for ties holding a stopper or a shipping tag. Haskell suggests an identity tag marking the owner.
By LM I B, the smaller Cretan jars had developed into one of the two subsequent major types, the "fine ware," which Haskell proposes spread to the rest of the eastern Mediterranean: LH I B, LC I A, etc., and the equivalent periods on Cyprus and Rhodes. Those cultures were predominantly Mycenaean. Before then, while Knossos was still under the Linear A administration, the stirrup jar moves into the Cyclades and is found at Akrotiri before the volcanic eruption. The smaller and finer instances were found in the living spaces. The storerooms contained larger and coarser stirrup jars. Haskell hypothesizes that the smaller were used for decanting from pithoi and for temporary storage.
What makes a stirrup jar "fine" is the grain size of the clay. Powdered clay results in a smooth surface. "Coarse ware," or coarse texture, means a surface similar to that of oatmeal, composed of larger grains, formed by admixture with quartz (sand) and particles of other minerals.
Stirrup jar