Analysis of Certain Series of Ionian Molded Bowls in the Light of New Chronological Evidence

Abstract

For bowls manufactured by the use of a mold, the decoration constitutes the most important criterion from the point of view of chronology. A complete chronological table on this basis has not yet been established. Various datings have been proposed for molded bowls manufactured at various centers, most of which are relative. Finds belonging to various series of molded bowl manufacture have been recovered from levels dated by coins in the north section of the stoa in Metropolis, a city of the Ionian region. The evidence here indicates that the commencement of production of molded bowls antedated the second quarter of the 3rd century B.C., which represents the earliest date so far established. Three molded bowls originating in the vicinity of Tire, which were purchased for the Tire museum collection, were analyzed in the light of this evidence. Very likely recovered from the same grave, two of the bowls have been identified as Ionian while the third one is an Ionian bowl displaying Pergamon influence.