35-50

Klazomenian sarcophagi from Akanthos

• Καλτσάς,  Νικόλαος

Amongst the finds during the excavation of the cemetery at Akanthos, Chalkidiki, in 1979, were two clay sarcophagi of Klazomenian type, which were given the burial numbers T1370 and T1404. Sarcophagus T1370 belongs to Cook’s shape 4, which has a broad rim, especially in the area of the head and feet, the surface of which is lavishly decorated. On the part at the head, in addition to the narrow zones of floral and geometric decoration, there is also a frieze with a depiction of a symposium. The scene, which is rendered in the black-figure technique, consists of four couches occupied by banqueting couples (man and hetaira), with the exception of the couch at the right end, which is occupied by a young banqueter reclining alone. The scene is completed by two slaves acting as wine-pourers, and a woman playing the flute.The bands at the interior upper angles depict revellers, and there are two warriors in the panels immediately below. The long sides are adorned by a g uilloche and palmettes, the panels at the bottom are occupied by busts of warriors, and the part near the feet has a scene typical of Klazomenian sarcophagi, with two wild animals attacking a wild goat, executed in the reserving style technique.Most of these decorative motifs are commonly found on sarcophagi of Cook’s group G. The symposium scene is unique and finds no parallel on a sarcophagus, though the motif is well known, especially in vase-painting.Comparison with other Klazomenian sarcophagi suggests a date in the decade 480-470 BC for sarcophagus T1370, which belongs stylistically to the Albertinum group.Sarcophagus T1404 belongs to Cook’s shape 3 and is entirely painted in the reserving style technique. On the part near the head is a forest, indicated by a palm-tree, in which a dog is shown attacking a deer, and a wild goat grazing.The long sides are decorated with running spirals and palmettes, and the panels at the top are occupied by heads of bearded men. On the part near the feet is a painted “egg-and-dart” pattern, the eggs alternately black and red.Sarcophagus T1404 is probably the product of a local workshop and dates from the 5th c. BC.

• History and Archaeology
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• Decorative arts
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• Arts and religion

Περιέχει παράρτημα της Ελένης Ανδρεοπούλου-Μάγκου, και βιλβιογραφία, Το άρθρο περιέχεται στο τεύχος: Μέρος Α'-Μελέτες