DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3044#0229
214 8B: MALIA WORKSHOP SUBGROUP MM IB-II
over, the stylistic homogeneity of these seals is such that it is not simply a result of the use of
a new technique. The seal shapes and motifs are more precisely fashioned than those of the Mal-
ia Workshop Complex.
Three seals are stylistically peripheral to the Malia Workshop Subgroup. CM 156 (11:23) is
a 6b Conoid in rock crystal decorated with animals which walk on the periphery of the seal face.
The animals are formed by borings with simple cuts for the legs. Nearly identical animals occur
on one face of CM 115c, which is a typical example of this subgroup. CM 123 (1:33; 4:4), also
in hard stone, bears a representation of a man doing a back-spring and on the reverse, a stag. The
cursive articulation of the body parts and the figural proportions resemble those of figures from
the Malia Workshop Complex. Also similar is the notching of the head in order to articulate hair
and a jaw. CMS IV 161, an agate Foreparts of Animals, bears a representation of a beaked biped
(17:11). In the case of this seal, as with others of the Malia Workshop Subgroup, the shape is
finely rendered (cf. CMS XII 98) and the motif is either done sketchily and/or is typical of the
Malia Workshop Complex. In the case of CMS IV 161 the fantastic motif is hastily carved and
its figural proportions are similar to those of seals of the Malia Workshop Complex.
The dating is largely stylistic as only two examples, CMS 112 150 and 168, are from strat-
ified contexts. Both stem from the MM II Malia Workshop. CMS 112 230 is in style and carv-
ing technique very similar to AGD II 8b, the latter which is attributed to the MM II (-? )
Hieroglyphic Deposit Group. The quality of the work is often on the same level as that of the
Hieroglyphic Deposit Group. But the fact that the motifs are closer to those of the Malia Work-
shop Complex argues for a hypothetically earlier beginning date. The seals of this subgroup at-
test either the earliest common use of hard stone or are simply provincial and date from MM II
onwards.
9: The Petaloid/Star Group MM IB-II
CM 17; CMS III 86, 90, 110, 111, 247, 275, 301; 115 209-212; IV 75, 22D; VII 24; X 44; XIII 95; Knossos
P52
near: CM 168 total: 19
The Petaloid/Star Group derives its name from the fact that nearly all of the seals are
carved with a petaloid loop, a star or both motifs. The examples of each of these two motifs
are relatively homogeneous in style. Although some are more linear in their carving technique,
the motifs are all deeply and regularly cut. A limited number of seal shapes aids in defining this
group. These are primarily 4a Buttons, but also 3b Bottles, 22c Prisms and 31i Petschafte.
The petaloid loops generally are hatched and posed alone (Motif 20:6, 7, 14-16). The stars
have five or more points with a circle carved in the middle (28:1). The eight point star viewed
on CMS III 111b is similar to that of CMS IV 75; XIII 95 and Knossos P52 and thus ties these
into the group. The C-spiral with dentate band carved on CMS III 110 finds a close match with
that of CMS IV 22Dc. Generally, a single motifs appears on each seal face.
Several of the seals attributed to the Petaloid/Star Group stem from datable archaeological
contexts. CMS III 247 is from the EM II-MM IB Platanos, tholos A. CMS 115 209-212 came to
light in the MM IIB Phaistos sealing deposit. The Hieroglyphic Deposit in Knossos, dated to MM
over, the stylistic homogeneity of these seals is such that it is not simply a result of the use of
a new technique. The seal shapes and motifs are more precisely fashioned than those of the Mal-
ia Workshop Complex.
Three seals are stylistically peripheral to the Malia Workshop Subgroup. CM 156 (11:23) is
a 6b Conoid in rock crystal decorated with animals which walk on the periphery of the seal face.
The animals are formed by borings with simple cuts for the legs. Nearly identical animals occur
on one face of CM 115c, which is a typical example of this subgroup. CM 123 (1:33; 4:4), also
in hard stone, bears a representation of a man doing a back-spring and on the reverse, a stag. The
cursive articulation of the body parts and the figural proportions resemble those of figures from
the Malia Workshop Complex. Also similar is the notching of the head in order to articulate hair
and a jaw. CMS IV 161, an agate Foreparts of Animals, bears a representation of a beaked biped
(17:11). In the case of this seal, as with others of the Malia Workshop Subgroup, the shape is
finely rendered (cf. CMS XII 98) and the motif is either done sketchily and/or is typical of the
Malia Workshop Complex. In the case of CMS IV 161 the fantastic motif is hastily carved and
its figural proportions are similar to those of seals of the Malia Workshop Complex.
The dating is largely stylistic as only two examples, CMS 112 150 and 168, are from strat-
ified contexts. Both stem from the MM II Malia Workshop. CMS 112 230 is in style and carv-
ing technique very similar to AGD II 8b, the latter which is attributed to the MM II (-? )
Hieroglyphic Deposit Group. The quality of the work is often on the same level as that of the
Hieroglyphic Deposit Group. But the fact that the motifs are closer to those of the Malia Work-
shop Complex argues for a hypothetically earlier beginning date. The seals of this subgroup at-
test either the earliest common use of hard stone or are simply provincial and date from MM II
onwards.
9: The Petaloid/Star Group MM IB-II
CM 17; CMS III 86, 90, 110, 111, 247, 275, 301; 115 209-212; IV 75, 22D; VII 24; X 44; XIII 95; Knossos
P52
near: CM 168 total: 19
The Petaloid/Star Group derives its name from the fact that nearly all of the seals are
carved with a petaloid loop, a star or both motifs. The examples of each of these two motifs
are relatively homogeneous in style. Although some are more linear in their carving technique,
the motifs are all deeply and regularly cut. A limited number of seal shapes aids in defining this
group. These are primarily 4a Buttons, but also 3b Bottles, 22c Prisms and 31i Petschafte.
The petaloid loops generally are hatched and posed alone (Motif 20:6, 7, 14-16). The stars
have five or more points with a circle carved in the middle (28:1). The eight point star viewed
on CMS III 111b is similar to that of CMS IV 75; XIII 95 and Knossos P52 and thus ties these
into the group. The C-spiral with dentate band carved on CMS III 110 finds a close match with
that of CMS IV 22Dc. Generally, a single motifs appears on each seal face.
Several of the seals attributed to the Petaloid/Star Group stem from datable archaeological
contexts. CMS III 247 is from the EM II-MM IB Platanos, tholos A. CMS 115 209-212 came to
light in the MM IIB Phaistos sealing deposit. The Hieroglyphic Deposit in Knossos, dated to MM