Kahramanmaraş Arkeoloji Müzesi’nden Kalıp Yapımı Bir Kâse

Abstract

The Hellenistic Period mould-made bowls were a popular type of ceramic during that era. Typically hemispherical and decorated with relief on the exterior, these drinking bowls were widely used in the Mediterranean basin and the Black Sea region from the 3rd century to the mid-1st century BCE. Created as imitations of metal vessels, the bowls featured relief decorations of floral, geometric, and figurative motifs on the exterior surfaces. These bowls are divided into two main classes: Attic and Delian. Local workshops in Anatolia began producing these bowls by the late 3rd century BCE, and notable production centers included Pergamon, Sardis, Ephesus, and other cities in the region. The mould-made bowl preserved in the Kahramanmaraş Archaeology Museum was acquired through purchase. This particular bowl stands out due to its figurative scene on the wall section. It is believed to depict hoplites, Amazons (?), and the duo of Athena-Hera. These figures are organised into twelve groups, comprising a total of sixteen figures. While this bowl's figures do not have an exact parallel, it bears resemblance to Homeric bowls among the Ionian ceramics in terms of form, mythological themes, and figures. It is believed to have been produced in Ionia and likely dates between the late 3rd century and the 2nd century BCE based on its form and decoration. The detailed examination of this bowl, which is part of the Kahramanmaraş Archaeology Museum collection, is significant as it adds a new example to the corpus of Hellenistic relief bowls.

Keywords

• hellenistic
• mould-made bowl
• floral bowls with figures
• ceramic
• anatolia
• kahramanmaraş museum