DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2533#0142
GEOMETRIC STYLE: EARLIEST EXAMPLES
105
Wide has endeavored in his article on the survival of Mycenaean motives in the Geo-
metric style {Allien. Mitt. XXII. [1897], p. 233) to trace the development of the vari-
ous motives which had their origin in the Mycenaean style during the later period. I
cannot, however, agree with his assertion that the centre of the Mycenaean activity lay
in the islands. Wide bases this claim on the supposition that the vases which show this
connecting link between the Mycenaean and Geometric styles have been found only on
the islands. Such a supposition cannot now be entertained, since not only are many of
these types to be seen on our fragments, but also on vases recently found in Attica. Of
the motives mentioned in Wide's article, the following occur at the Heraeum on various
fragments mentioned below. (The page references are from Wide's article.)
Toothed wheel and star (p. 235, fig. 3).
One-handled-jug (p. 237, fig. 5). Numerous fragments of jugs with precisely similar decora-
tions were found. Also several handles with a plastic snake.
Amphora (p. 238, fig. 6). Fragments of similar amphoras were extremely numerous at the
Heraeum. Dozens of fragments belonging to rims showed a lozenge chain, with or without a cen-
tral dot. Equally numerous were the lozenge chains formed by interlacing lines, the rhomboids
(single) and " Running Dog " patterns.
(P. 238, fig. 7.) Several fragments from the shoulder of a vase showing similar decoration were
found. The form is uncertain, but as the base of a spout was apparent, it is probably a jug similar
to the Mycenaean ones with one handle. The clay is coarse and of a dark red color. The decora-
tion on both shoulder and belly consists of a net pattern (not a meander, as in the Munich vase),
the spaces filled by rosettes or dotted lozenges. Under the base of the spout is a leaf pattern.
(P. 240, fig. 8.) Circles with cross in the centre, arranged singly in pairs or in series, were
among the commonest types on the Heraeum fragments.
(P. 244, fig. 14 a.) Several fragments with this motive were found.
(P. 246, fig. 17.) At least a hundred fragments from the rims of large bowls showed this com-
bination of a wave pattern and dotted circles.
The preceding enumeration of the various types is valuable as showing the occurrence
of Wide's types at the Heraeum. The following fragments are here introduced to show
the use of Mycenaean motives on a Geometric clay. It must be remembered, however,
that the difference in clay is hardly perceptible in the plate ; in all these fragments it is
generally greenish or yellowish in tone (sometimes reddish), coarse in quality, and not
very carefully cleaned, never possessing, except in a few cases, the smooth surface so
characteristic of Mycenaean clay.
PLATE LVI.
1. Fragment of a large vessel, probably an amphora. Coarse yellow clay; decoration varying
from dark to light brown. Checkerboard and circles.
The cmality of the decoration resembles the Mycenaeat; more closely than does that of any other
fragment. We have here the circles (as in Wide, loc. cit. p. 244, fig. 14 a) with the Geometric
checkerboard. Both are treated in a slightly freer fashion than we shall find usual. Several other
similar fragments were found.
2. From a bowl. Reddish clay, with a yellow slip. Spirals in dark red.
3. The same. Red glaze on interior, bright red decoration.
4. The same : coarse yellow clay. Red decoration.
2-4 show the employment of purely Mycenaean motives on Geometric clay.
5. From rim of large bowl. Greenish yellow clay, with bands on interior below rim; brown
decoration very faded.
The Mycenaean spiral is here preserved intact.
6. Greenish clay, with light brown decoration. Combination of zigzags and Mycenaean flower
branch (cf. Wide, loc. cit. p. 242, fig. 12 a). Fragments with this combination were very numerous.
105
Wide has endeavored in his article on the survival of Mycenaean motives in the Geo-
metric style {Allien. Mitt. XXII. [1897], p. 233) to trace the development of the vari-
ous motives which had their origin in the Mycenaean style during the later period. I
cannot, however, agree with his assertion that the centre of the Mycenaean activity lay
in the islands. Wide bases this claim on the supposition that the vases which show this
connecting link between the Mycenaean and Geometric styles have been found only on
the islands. Such a supposition cannot now be entertained, since not only are many of
these types to be seen on our fragments, but also on vases recently found in Attica. Of
the motives mentioned in Wide's article, the following occur at the Heraeum on various
fragments mentioned below. (The page references are from Wide's article.)
Toothed wheel and star (p. 235, fig. 3).
One-handled-jug (p. 237, fig. 5). Numerous fragments of jugs with precisely similar decora-
tions were found. Also several handles with a plastic snake.
Amphora (p. 238, fig. 6). Fragments of similar amphoras were extremely numerous at the
Heraeum. Dozens of fragments belonging to rims showed a lozenge chain, with or without a cen-
tral dot. Equally numerous were the lozenge chains formed by interlacing lines, the rhomboids
(single) and " Running Dog " patterns.
(P. 238, fig. 7.) Several fragments from the shoulder of a vase showing similar decoration were
found. The form is uncertain, but as the base of a spout was apparent, it is probably a jug similar
to the Mycenaean ones with one handle. The clay is coarse and of a dark red color. The decora-
tion on both shoulder and belly consists of a net pattern (not a meander, as in the Munich vase),
the spaces filled by rosettes or dotted lozenges. Under the base of the spout is a leaf pattern.
(P. 240, fig. 8.) Circles with cross in the centre, arranged singly in pairs or in series, were
among the commonest types on the Heraeum fragments.
(P. 244, fig. 14 a.) Several fragments with this motive were found.
(P. 246, fig. 17.) At least a hundred fragments from the rims of large bowls showed this com-
bination of a wave pattern and dotted circles.
The preceding enumeration of the various types is valuable as showing the occurrence
of Wide's types at the Heraeum. The following fragments are here introduced to show
the use of Mycenaean motives on a Geometric clay. It must be remembered, however,
that the difference in clay is hardly perceptible in the plate ; in all these fragments it is
generally greenish or yellowish in tone (sometimes reddish), coarse in quality, and not
very carefully cleaned, never possessing, except in a few cases, the smooth surface so
characteristic of Mycenaean clay.
PLATE LVI.
1. Fragment of a large vessel, probably an amphora. Coarse yellow clay; decoration varying
from dark to light brown. Checkerboard and circles.
The cmality of the decoration resembles the Mycenaeat; more closely than does that of any other
fragment. We have here the circles (as in Wide, loc. cit. p. 244, fig. 14 a) with the Geometric
checkerboard. Both are treated in a slightly freer fashion than we shall find usual. Several other
similar fragments were found.
2. From a bowl. Reddish clay, with a yellow slip. Spirals in dark red.
3. The same. Red glaze on interior, bright red decoration.
4. The same : coarse yellow clay. Red decoration.
2-4 show the employment of purely Mycenaean motives on Geometric clay.
5. From rim of large bowl. Greenish yellow clay, with bands on interior below rim; brown
decoration very faded.
The Mycenaean spiral is here preserved intact.
6. Greenish clay, with light brown decoration. Combination of zigzags and Mycenaean flower
branch (cf. Wide, loc. cit. p. 242, fig. 12 a). Fragments with this combination were very numerous.