ISSN: 0041-4255
e-ISSN: 2791-6472

Coşkun Özgünel

Keywords: Hüseyin Kocabaş Collection, Attic Ceramic, Geometric Style, Kerameikos, Athenian Agora

Between the years of 1940 - 1941, a number of vases of Attic origin from the Geometric Period had come to Istanbul to the Hüseyin Kocabaş collection from Athens.

The decoration and shape of seven vases from this collection have close contacts to the grave findings at Kerameikos and the Athenian Agora.

Pyxis :

H. Kocabaş Collection, Istan.

Inv. no. 1896, Pl. I a, b (see Cat. 1, p. 1-5)

Istan. Inv. 1896 Pyxis, in respect of style and form bears close relations to Kerameikos - Agora examples mentioned below.

In terms of form:

— Ker. V1. Pl. 52/265, p. 222, 276

— Ker. V1. Pl. 54/5715, p. 276

— Ker. V1. PI. 56/5716 b, p. 276

— Ker. V1. PI. 57/275, p. 230, 276

From the point of view of decoration;

Body decorations:

— Ker. V1. Pl. 52/262, 265, 54/5715, 55/5713> 56/5716, 57/833, 57/275, 58/5707

— Ker. V1. Pl. 52/263

Outside of the pyxis form, other Attica vases have by view of decoration established resemblance to our pyxis, too.

Lid decorations:

—Ker. V1. Pl. 52/263, 66/1194, 1196

— Ker. V1. Pl. 66/835

— Ker. V1. Pl. 55/580, 57/833; AM. 89, 1974, 1 ff., Pl. 4/26; CVA Deutschland 39, Würzburg 1. Pl. 6 (H. 4431)

— Ker. V1. Pl. 66/265, 66/835

— Ker. V1. Pl. 66/5706, 59/775

— E. Brann, Agora, Vol. VIII. Pl. 15/252, 267, 269

It is obvious to sec that in terms of shape and decoration Istan. Inv. 1896 pyxis has close relations to the given examples above. The style of decoration seen under the Keramcikos influence gives way for the vase to be a Keramcikos grave finding. Dating this vase, it is estimated to be about 725 B.C.

Tankard :

H. Kocabaş Collection (Istan.)

Inv. no. 1911/3225, pl. I c, d, II a (see Cat. 2, p. 5-9)

In terms of shape, it is not possible to find an example that would conveniently resemble the Istan. Tankard Inv. 1911/3225. But İn neck and body forms, similarities in these aspects can be seen in the given examples below. They are presented in order of their degrees of resemblance.

—Ker. V1. Pl. 111/2159

— Wide, Jdl 1899, 209, fig. 84; E. Akurgal, Phrygische Kunst, pl. E/5

— Ker. V1. Pl. 112/350

The examples which show similarities by way of decoration are: Neck decorations:

— Bettina V. Ereytang gen. Löringhoff, Ein spätgeometrisches Frauengrab vom Keramcikos, AM. 89, 1974, Pl. 3/11

— Ker. V1. Pl. 112/1226

— Young, Hesperia - Supplement II. 102, fig. 72 XXV 3; E. Akurgal, Phrygische Kunst, Pl. E/4

— Ker. V1. Pl. 112/350, 111/2159

Body decorations:

— Ker. V1. PI. 112/1252

— Ker. V1. Pl. 111 /2159

In dating the Istan. Inv. 1911/3225 tankard, it is necessary to note also its decorative similarities with the Istan. Inv. 1896 pyxis. Subsequently with respect to these aspects, Late Geometric (725 B. C) would be considered appropriate. This vase without doubt is a Keramcikos grave finding.

Tankard:

H. Kocabaş Collection (Istan.)

Inv. no. 1901/3284, pl. II b - d, (see cat. 3, p. 9-12)

In terms of shape Istan. Inv. 1901/3284 tankard bears close relations with the examples of Late Geometric Attica.

— AM. 89, 1974, Pl. 3/6

— Ker. V1. Pl. 111/831

— Young, Hesperia - Supplement II., p. 80, fig. 54 XVII 18;

— E. Brann, Agora, Vol. VIII. Pl. 15/251 (P. 5053)

— Schweitzer, AM. 43, 1918, Pl. V/4; E. Akurgal, Phrygische Kunst, Pl. D/3

With respects to decoration, the Istan. Inv. 1901/3284 tankard had acquired close ties to the examples of the Kerameikos - Agora finds.

Neck decorations:

— Ker. V1. Pl. 111/363

— Young, Hesperia - Supplement II. 89, fig. 60 VIII; (P 102), fig. 72 XXV 3; E. Akurgal, Phrygische Kunst, Pl. E/4, F/4

— AM. 89, 1974, Pl. 3/11

— Ker. V1. Pl. 116/1305, 819, Pl. 99/343, 344, 99/270

— Schweitzer, AM. 43, 1918, Pl. V/4; E. Akurgal, Phrygische Kunst, Pl. D/3; Young, Hesperia - Supplement II. 89, fig. 60 XVIII 1 (P4782); Coldstream, Greek Geometric Pottery, Pl. 10 j (4782)

The shoulder - belly decorations :

— Young, Hesperia - Supplement II. 89, fig. 60 XVIII 2

— AM. 89, 1974, Pl. 3/7, 8

— Schweitzer, AM. 43, 1918, pl. V/4; E. Akurgal, Phrygische Kunst, Pl. D/3

Dating the Istan. Inv. 1901/3284 tankard, it is possible to attribute it in the Late Geometric Period (725/720 - 700 B. C.) Late Geometric grave findings from the Athenaen Agora (Hesperia - Supplement IL, p. 299) given by R. Young also supports this statement.

Tankard :

H. Kocabaş Collection (Istan.)

Inv. no. 1933, pl. III d-f (see cat. 4, p. 12-14)

This example found at the H. Kocabaş collection is last of the tankard shaped vases. In terms of shape this vase shows differences than that of the other two tankards (cat. 2 and 3) we have seen. However, Atheneaen Agora tankard which R. Young dated to the end of the late geometric period has resemblance to our tankard (Hesperia-Supplcment II, 53 fig. 33 XI 25 P 5504).

Decoration :

Neck and body decorations :

The decoration shown on the Istan. Inv. 1933 tankard and on the Istan. 1901/3283 (cat. 3), creates closely related similarities. But the style of decoration of 1933 tankard is the result of a second class atelier. The neck decorations of the examples given below show the relation with that of the Istan. Inv. 1933 tankard :

— Young, Hesperia - Supplement II, 50, fig. 33 XI 15 (P 5504)

— Ker. V1. Pl. 115/393

By the form and decoration of the Istan. Inv. 1933 tankard, it is appropriate to place it in the Late Geometric Period 725 - 700 B. C.

Oinochoe :

H. Kocabaş Collection (Istan.)

Inv. no. 1939/3285 pl. III a-c, (see cat. 5, p. 14- 16)

In view of form, to find a suitable representation to the Islan. 1939/3285 oinochoe with its contemporaries is not possible. But there are examples from the Athenaen Agora and Kerameikos findings which can, insignificant as may appear, produce a correlation.

— Ker. V1. Pl. 80/322

— Ker. V1. Pl. 80/370

— Young, Hesperia-Supplcment II, 30, 31, fig 18. VI 4 (P 4785)

Decoration :

In the neck decorations, there is a zigzag pattern settled within a panel. We can find the same decoration on the oinochoes of the Late Geometric Period found at the Kerameikos graves.

— Ker. V1. Pl. 80/322, 370 ,336, 1339

— Young, Hesperia - Supplement II, 31, fig. 18 VI 4 (P 4785)

Oinochoe:

H. Kocabaş Collection (Istan.)

Inv. no. 1895/3228, pl. IV a-c, (sec cat. 6, p. 16- 19)

In terms of form, the Istan. 1895/3228 oinochoe, the Athenean Agora and Kerameikos grave findings have mutual similarities.

— Ker. V1. PI. 82/874, p. 215.

— Young, Hesperia - Supplement II, 38-41, fig. 24 IX 17 (P 4970)

— E. Brann, Agora Vol. VIII, pl. 5/80 (P 21579)

— AM. 89, 1974, pl. 3/12

Among the given examples above, the oinochoe, handed down from the newly found female graveyard at Kerameikos (AM. 89, 1974, 1 ff.) and the Istan. Inv. 1895/3228 oinochoe, have between them an exact image with one another in terms of form and height (15,6 cm.). These two vases have also between them strongly shared similarities seen through their decoration. They may be products of the same atelier. Thus we can place the Istan. Inv. 1895/3228 oinochoe within 725-700 B. C.

Conic Oinochoe:

H. Kocabaş Collection (Istan.)

Inv. no. 1937/3226, pl. V a-c, (see cat 7, p. 19-22)

With respects to form the Istan. 1937/3226 conic oinochoe inspite of its seemingly Early Geometric Attica influence, establishes a close relationship with the Corinth conic oinochoe.

Below are examples having similarities to form:

— Young, Hesperia - Supplement II, 38, fig. 24 IX 13 (P 4971); E. Brann, Agora Vol. VIII, 39, pl. 5/72 (P 4971), pl. 5/73 “Squat Aryballos” (P 20080)

— S. S. Weinberg, Corinth Vol. VII, part I., p. 25 ff., pl. 12/76

— Coldstream, Greek Geometric Pottery, pl. 17 g, 18 c

In terms of decoration it has the effect of harsh Attica lines.

In dating the Istan. 1937/3226 oinochoe, it is possible to attribute it between 725 - 700 B. C.