DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3044#0074
CATALOGUE
59
CMS III 99
Half-Ovoids taper at both ends, have flat bases and
convex backs. The backs are either plain or furrowed with paral-
lel incised grooves or cross-hatching. The length and width of Half-
Ovoids average 1.4 and 0.8 cms. respectively and these seals are
relatively homogeneous in shape and size. The materials have been
identified by Platon as "white paste" (CMS III 99) and "white stea-
tite" (CMS 112 109). CS 88 is in bone. These seals are of very
good quality workmanship.
Decoration and dating
Except for CS 88 all Half-Ovoids are decorated with hatched triangles in segmental com-
positions. CS 88 shows an S-spiral from which two leaves spring. Half-Ovoids are assigned to
the EM III-MM IA (-? ) Border/Leaf Complex. However, CMS 112 109 (Motif 30:8) came to
light in the MM II Malia Seal Workshop. Considering the evidence of stratigraphy and style, the
main period of production for this shape appears to have been in EM III-MM IA but it survives
into MM II.
Class 17: HEMICYLINDERS
Hemicylinders are roughly semicircular in profile and have bases which are either broad or
narrow.
CMS III 400
CMS III 450
17a) ivory, frit/faience, bone
CMS III 217, 400, 450; 112 112; IV 105, 115
Hemicylinders in ivory, frit/faience and bone
comprise a subclass heterogeneous in material, shape
and decoration. CMS III 112 and IV 105 have pro-
portionately narrow bases, but those of the remaining
seals are nearly square. The back of CMS 217 is decor-
ated with three parallel incisions on both ends which
run perpendicular to the plane of the convexity. The
back of CMS IV 105 shows multiple grooves, which in their carving technique are similar to
those of Half-Ovoids (cf. CMS III 99). CMS III 217, 400, 450 and IV 115 have bases which
are square or slightly rectangular and which range in length from 1.2 to 1.8 cms. CMS III 217
is bored through the back, perpendicular to the axis of the curvature but the other members of
this subclass are bored parallel to the plane of the curvature. The workmanship of 17a Hemicyl-
inders is good and in the case of CMS III 450 is excellent.
Decoration and dating
Several different motifs decorate 17a Hemicylinders including leaves (cf. Motif 19:16),
hatched triangles and the croix pommetee. Four Hemicylinders belong to the EM III-MM IA (-? )
Border/Leaf Complex125 and CMS III 112 is assigned to the MM IB-II Malia Workshop Complex.
Further evidence for the chronology is provided by two examples which were excavated from
stratified contexts:
59
CMS III 99
Half-Ovoids taper at both ends, have flat bases and
convex backs. The backs are either plain or furrowed with paral-
lel incised grooves or cross-hatching. The length and width of Half-
Ovoids average 1.4 and 0.8 cms. respectively and these seals are
relatively homogeneous in shape and size. The materials have been
identified by Platon as "white paste" (CMS III 99) and "white stea-
tite" (CMS 112 109). CS 88 is in bone. These seals are of very
good quality workmanship.
Decoration and dating
Except for CS 88 all Half-Ovoids are decorated with hatched triangles in segmental com-
positions. CS 88 shows an S-spiral from which two leaves spring. Half-Ovoids are assigned to
the EM III-MM IA (-? ) Border/Leaf Complex. However, CMS 112 109 (Motif 30:8) came to
light in the MM II Malia Seal Workshop. Considering the evidence of stratigraphy and style, the
main period of production for this shape appears to have been in EM III-MM IA but it survives
into MM II.
Class 17: HEMICYLINDERS
Hemicylinders are roughly semicircular in profile and have bases which are either broad or
narrow.
CMS III 400
CMS III 450
17a) ivory, frit/faience, bone
CMS III 217, 400, 450; 112 112; IV 105, 115
Hemicylinders in ivory, frit/faience and bone
comprise a subclass heterogeneous in material, shape
and decoration. CMS III 112 and IV 105 have pro-
portionately narrow bases, but those of the remaining
seals are nearly square. The back of CMS 217 is decor-
ated with three parallel incisions on both ends which
run perpendicular to the plane of the convexity. The
back of CMS IV 105 shows multiple grooves, which in their carving technique are similar to
those of Half-Ovoids (cf. CMS III 99). CMS III 217, 400, 450 and IV 115 have bases which
are square or slightly rectangular and which range in length from 1.2 to 1.8 cms. CMS III 217
is bored through the back, perpendicular to the axis of the curvature but the other members of
this subclass are bored parallel to the plane of the curvature. The workmanship of 17a Hemicyl-
inders is good and in the case of CMS III 450 is excellent.
Decoration and dating
Several different motifs decorate 17a Hemicylinders including leaves (cf. Motif 19:16),
hatched triangles and the croix pommetee. Four Hemicylinders belong to the EM III-MM IA (-? )
Border/Leaf Complex125 and CMS III 112 is assigned to the MM IB-II Malia Workshop Complex.
Further evidence for the chronology is provided by two examples which were excavated from
stratified contexts: