New observations on the Fine – Sgraffito ware and Aegean ware in western Asia Minor. A revision

Cercetări Arheologice 29.2, 2022, 665-686
https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.29.2.12



New observations on the Fine – Sgraffito ware and Aegean ware in western Asia Minor. A revision

Ergün Laflı, Maurizio Buora

Authors: Ergün Lafli Maurizio Buora

Keywords:

Fine sgraffito ware, Aegean ware, Byzantine pottery, medieval pottery, Izmir, Aydın, Fethiye, Didyma, western Asia Minor, Turkey, Cyprus, 12th-13th centuries AD, Middle Byzantine period, Late Byzantine period, Byzantine archaeology, Byzantine art history, Medieval archaeology, Medieval art history

Abstract:

This brief article deals with one aspect of Byzantine material culture, that of pottery and, more particularly, with two specific categories of Byzantine pottery, the so-called the “Fine sgraffito ware” and “Aegean ware”, presenting related examples from museums in western Turkey. Τhe whole argumentation of the paper mainly derives from the presentation of 21 glazed clay vessels from the collections of the Archaeological Museums of Izmir, Aydın and Fethiue, incorporating comments on similar objects from Asia Minor and elsewhere. It thus offers some additional examples to “Fine sgraffito ware” and of “Aegean ware” from western Turkey, although some of they have been published previously. Τhe authors attempt to incorporate these vessels to the general category to which they belong and to compare them with others with similar decoration, in order to offer a more general point on “Fine sgraffito ware” and “Aegean ware”. Based on these examples, a date of late 12th to the early decades of the 13th century AD can be suggested for these wares.

Download: PDF

How to cite: Ergün Laflı, Maurizio Buora, New observations on the Fine – Sgraffito ware and Aegean ware in western Asia Minor. A revision, Cercetări Arheologice, Vol. 29.2, pag. 665-686, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.29.2.12

Bibliography

  1. Armstrong, P. 1989. Some Byzantine and later settlements in Eastern Phokis, The Annual of the British School at Athens 84: 1-47.
  2. Armstrong, P. 1991. A group of Byzantine bowls from Skopelos, Oxford Journal of Archaeology 10, 3: 335-347.
  3. Armstrong, P. 1997. Byzantine glazed ceramic table ware in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, Bulletin of the Detroit Institute of Arts 71, 1-2: 4-15 https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/DIA41504932 (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  4. Boas, A.J. 1994. Import of western ceramics to the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem, Israel Exploration Journal 44, 1-2: 102-122 https://www.jstor.org/stable/27926336 (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  5. Böhlendorf-Arslan, B. 2004. Glasierte byzantinische Keramik aus der Türkei, Istanbul: Ege Yayınları.
  6. Brouskari, E. 1988. Collection Paul Canellopoulos (XVIII), Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 112, 1: 503- 517 http://www.persee.fr/doc/bch_0007-4217_1988_num_112_1_1759 (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  7. Budak Ünaler, M. 2013. “Fine-Sgraffito ware,” “Aegean ware” from Anaia: an analytical approach, doctoral thesis, Izmir Institute of Technology, Izmir https://hdl.handle.net/11147/2952 (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  8. Dimopoulos, I. 2009. Trade of Byzantine red ware, end of 11th–13th centuries, in V. Mundel Mango (ed.), Byzantine trade, 4th-12th centuries: The archaeology of local, regional and international exchange. Paper of the thirthy-eight spring symposium of Byzantine studies, St. John’s College, University of Oxford, March 2004, Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies (Great Britain), Publications 14, Aldershot; Hamps; Burlington, VT: Routledge: 179-181.
  9. Doğer, L. 2005. Kuşadası, Kadıkalesi (Anaia) Kazısı 2003 Yılı Bizans Dönemi Seramik Buluntuları [Byzantine pottery finds from Annaea-Kadıkalesi near Kuşadası from the season 2003], Sanat Tarihi Dergisi [Journal of Art History of the Ege University], 14, 1: 105-133 https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/std/issue/16518/172463 (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  10. Doğer, L. 2007. Byzantine ceramics: Excavations at Smyrna Agora (1997-98 and 2002-03), in B. BöhlendorfArslan, A.O. Uysal and J. Witte-Orr (eds.), Çanak: Late Antique and Medieval pottery and tiles in Mediterranean archaeological contexts. Proceedings of the first international symposium on Late Antique, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman pottery and tiles in archaeological context, Çanakkale 31 May-3 June 2005, Veröffentlichungen des Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Istanbul, Byzas 7, Istanbul: Ege Yayınları: 97-121.
  11. Doğer, L. 2012. İzmir Arkeoloji Müzesi Örnekleriyle Kazıma Dekorlu Ege-Bizans Seramikleri [Examples of the Byzantine Aegean sgraffito vessels from the Archaeological Museum of Izmir]. Ege Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Yayınları, Yayın No. 105, [Ege University, Faculty of Letters Publications, publication no. 105], Izmir: Ege Üniversitesi Basımevi (second edition).
    Elbern, V.H. 1972. Mittelbyzantinische Sgraffito-Keramik: Neuerwerbungen für die frühchristlich-byzantinische Sammlung, Berliner Museen 22, 2: 41-51 https://www.jstor.org/stable/4238405 (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  12. François, V. 2012. Représenter le commerce de la poterie à Byzance, in É. Malamut and M. Ouerfelli (eds.), Les échanges en Méditerranée médiévale : marqueurs, réseaux, circulations, contacts, Le temps de l’histoire 1, Aixen-Provence: Presses universitaires de Provence: 33-54.
  13. François, V. 2016. Distribution atlas of Byzantine ceramics. A new approach for pottery trade, in P. Magdalino and N. Necipoğlu (eds.), Trade in Byzantium. Papers from the third international Sevgi Gönül Byzantine studies symposium, Istanbul: Koç Üniversitesi, Anadolu Medeniyetleri Araṣtırma Merkezi / Koç University’s Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations: 143-155 https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-01342002/document (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  14. François, V. 2018. Aegean ware: how a typology became inoperative, in F. Yenişehirlioğlu, D. Karakaya and T.G. Little (eds.), XIth congress AIECM3 on Medieval and Modern period Mediterranean ceramics proceedings, 19-24 October 2015 Antalya / XI. AIECM3 Uluslararası Ortaçağ ve Modern Akdeniz Dünyası Seramik Kongresi Bildirileri, 19-24 Ekim 2015 Antalya, Ankara: Koç University VEKAM, Vehbi Koç Ankara Studies Research Center / Koç Üniversitesi VEKAM, Vehbi Koç Ankara Araştırmaları Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi 2: 197-202.
  15. François, V. and Spieser, J.-M. 2002. Pottery and glass in Byzantium, in A.E. Laiou (ed.), The economic history of Byzantium: From the seventh through the fifteenth century, Dumbarton Oaks Studies 39, Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks, Trustees for Harvard University, 593-609 http://www.doaks.org/resources/publications/doaksonline-publications/economic-history-of-byzantium/ehb24-pottery-and-glass (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  16. Ionnidaki-Dostoglou, A. 1989. Les vases de l’épave byzantine de Pélagonnèse-Halonnèse, in V. Déroche and J.-M.
  17. Spieser (eds.), Recherches sur la céramique byzantine, Actes du colloque organisé par l École française d’ Athènes et l Université de Strasbourg II, (Centre de recherches sur l’Europe Centrale et Sud-Orientale), (Athènes 8-10 Avril 1987), Bulletin de correspondance hellénique, supplément 18, Athens: École française d’Athènes; Paris: De Boccard: 157-171.
  18. Kontogiannis, N.D. and Arvaniti, S. 2007. Commercial activity in the Aegean of the 13th-16th century: the ceramic evidence from Andros, in S. Antoniadou and A. Pace (eds.), Mediterranean crossroads, Athens: Pierides Foundation: 623-642.
  19. Laflı, E. and Buora, M. 2017. Some observations on the Aegean ware and fine graffito ware in western Asia Minor, in M. Rakocija (ed.), The days of St. Emperor Constantine and Helena, Niš & Byzantium, Fifteen international symposium, Niš, 3-5. June 2016, The collection of scientific works XV, Niš: NKC, 195-208 http://www.nisandbyzantium.org.rs/doc/zbornik15/PDF-XV/11%20Erguen%20Lafli%2015.pdf (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  20. Megaw, A.H.S. 1975. An early thirteenth-century Aegean glazed ware, in G. Robertson and G. Henderson (eds.), Studies in memory of David Talbot Rice, Edinburgh: The Edinburgh University Press: 35-45.
  21. Michailidou, M. and Philotheou, G. 1989. Plats byzantins provenant d’une épave près de Castellorizo, in V. Déroche and J.-M. Spieser, (eds.), Recherches sur la céramique byzantine, Actes du colloque organisé par l’École française d’Athènes et l’Université de Strasbourg II, (Centre de recherches sur l’Europe Centrale et SudOrientale), (Athènes 8-10 Avril 1987), Bulletin de correspondance hellénique, supplément 18, Athens: École française d’Athènes; Paris: De Boccard: 173-176.
  22. Morgan, C.H. 1942. Corinth, vol. 11: The Byzantine pottery. Results of excavations conducted by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Cambridge, MA: the American School of Classical Studies at Athens http://www.jstor.org/stable/25351327 (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  23. Papanikola-Bakirtzi, E. (ed.) 1999. Βυζαντινά εφυαλωμένα κεραμικά. Η τέχνη των εγχαράκτων [Byzantine glazed ceramics. The art of sgraffito], Athens: Έκδοση του Ταμείου Αρχαιολογικών Πόρων και Απαλλοτριώσεων.
  24. Philotheou, G. and Michailidou, M. 1986. Βυζαντινά πινάκια από το φορτίο ναυαγισμένου πλοίου κοντά στο Καστελλόριζο [Byzantine dishes from the cargo of the shipwreck near Castellorizo], Αρχαιολογικόν Δελτίον [Archaeological Bulletin] 41A: 271-330.
  25. Randall, Jr., R.H. 1968. Three Byzantine ceramics, Burlington Magazine 110, 785: 461-464 https://www.jstor.org/stable/875673 (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  26. Vionis, A.K., Poblome, J. and Waelkens, M. 2009. Ceramic continuity and daily life in Medieval Sagalassos,sw Anatolia (ca. 650-1250 AD), in T. Vorderstrasse and J. Roodenberg (eds.), Archaeology of the countryside in Medieval Anatolia, Publications de l’Institut historique-archéologique néerlandais à Stamboul – PIHANS, Uitgaven van het Nederlands Instituut voor het Nabije Oosten te Leiden 113, Leiden: Nederlands Instituut voor het Nabije Oosten: 191-213.
  27. Vionis, A.K., Poblome, J., De Cupere, B. and Waelkens, M. 2010. A Middle-Late Byzantine pottery assemblage from Sagalassos: typo-chronology and sociocultural interpretation, Hesperia, The Journal of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens 79/3, 423-464 https://www.jstor.org/stable/40981057 (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  28. Vroom, J. 2003. After antiquity: ceramics and society in the Aegean from the 7th to the 20th century A.C. A case study from Boeotia, Central Greece, Leiden University, Archaeological studies 10, Leiden: Rijksuniversiteit Leiden, Faculteit der Archeologie.
  29. Vroom, J. 2020. Medieval ceramic production in the Aegean, 1100-1600 AD: some considerations in an East-West perspective, in S. Kaner, B. Ayers, R. Pearson and O. Wrenn (eds.), The archaeology of Medieval towns: case studies from Japan and Europe, Oxford: Archaeopress: 115-123.
  30. Waksman, S.Y. 2014. Long-term pottery production and chemical reference groups: examples from Medieval Western Turkey, in H. Meyza and K. Domżalski (eds.), Late Hellenistic to Mediaeval fine wares of the Aegean coast of Anatolia, their production, imitation and use, Travaux de l’Institut des cultures mediterraneennes et orientales de l`Academie Polonaise des Sciences 1, Warsaw: Editions Neriton; Iksio PAN.
  31. Waksman, S.Y., Kontogiannis, N.D., Skartsis, S.S. and Vaxevanis, G. 2014. The main “Middle Byzantine production” and pottery manufacture in Thebes and Chalcis, The Annual of the British School at Athens 109, 379- 422. doi:10.1017/S0068245414000148
  32. Waksman, S.Y. and von Wartburg, M.-L. 2006. “Fine-Sgraffito ware”, “Aegean ware”, and other wares: new evidence for a major production of Byzantine ceramics, Report of the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus: 369-388.
  33. Von Wartburg, M.-L. 2001. Earthquakes and archaeology: Paphos after 1222, in G.K. Ioannides and S.A. Hadjistyllis (eds.), Acts of the third international congress of Cypriot studies (Nicosia, 16-20 April 1996), vol. 1:ancient section, Nicosia: Society of Cypriot Studies: 127-145.
  34. Von Wartburg, M.-L. 2003. Bowls and birds: some Middle Byzantine glazed bowls from Swiss private collections, in J. Herrin, M. Mullett and C. Otten-Froux (eds.), Mosaic, Festschrift for A. H. S. Megaw, British School at Athens, Studies 8, London: British School at Athens: 115-129 https://www.jstor.org/stable/40960552 (accessed on 2 November 2022).
  35. Yangaki, A.G. 2016. The current state of the research and future perspectives for the methodology and the interpretation of Byzantine pottery of the 11th and 12th centuries AD, Journal of Greek Archaeology 1: 313-331.
  36. Zaleskaya, V.N. 1989. La céramique byzantine des XIIe et XIIIe siècle de Chèrsonese, in V. Déroche and J.-M.Spieser, (eds.), Recherches sur la céramique byzantine, Actes du colloque organisé par l École française d Athènes et l Université de Strasbourg II, (Centre de recherches sur l’Europe Centrale et Sud-Orientale), (Athènes 8-10 Avril 1987), Bulletin de correspondance hellénique, supplément 18, Athens: École française d’Athènes; Paris: De Boccard: 143-149.

Creative Commons Licence
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License