Folia archeologica 54.

Judit Lebegyev: A Stag from Mycenae and the Greek prehistoric Sherd collection of the Hungarian National Museum

78 JUDIT LEBEGYEV in general.

1

4 Deer representations are almost exclusively confined to the FS 281 deep bowl kráter shape, which was in use throughout the LH HIB period.

4

5 The two closest parallels for the floral motif, the Bonn and the Stockholm kráter are both dated stylistically to the LH I1IB1 period. The quality of draughtsmanship also points to an earlier date within the LH IIIB period. Place of manufacture The fabric and paint of the fragment is characteristic to the painted potteiy from Mycenae and other Argive sites. The workshop producing the vase can thus be reasonably located either in Mycenae itself and its surroundings or elsewhere in the Argolid. Two workshops producing pictorial pottery in the Argolid had been hitherto located by NAA analyses.

4

6 In the lack of NAA analysis, however, it is not possible to determine whether our fragment was made in the Mycenae/Berbati or the Tiryns/Asine workshop. As it was mentioned above, stylistically it is not possible to link the fragment to any individual painter's hand or workshop identified thus far, which - if relevant pieces were subject of scientific analyses - would also make possible a more precise location of the place of manufacture. Context and function In Mainland sites pictorial kraters, recovered mostly in fragmentary state, can only be rarely assigned to closed, primary contexts with a known function. In Mycenae small quantities of pictorial pottery were found in probable ritual contexts and storage areas, but most of the pictorial sherds uncovered here derive from secondary deposits.

4

7 The krater shape as testified by the complete examples from primary, functional contexts in Cyprus and the Levant was the most important part of the feasting and wine consumption kit. The figure of the stag itself, even ifit appears as part of a peaceful procession, is closely related to hunting, an elite activity, which however, has also strong ritual connotations 4

8 Thus the kraters with stags, like the ones with chariot representations, which are also almost exclusively confined to this shape, were not only a prominent part of the drinking set, but due to their decoration can also be considered as the most effective media to advertise the Mycenaean elite-lifestyle. 4

4 Both interpretations were raised by E. Verraeule and V. Karageorghis, MPVP 115. 4

5 Based on CROUWEL 1991, SAKELLARAKIS 1992, G

ÜNTNER 2000, с. 50 deer representations can be assigned to deep bowl kraters, 7 to amphoroid kraters, three to FS 284 deep bowls and one to a kvlix. On the shape and its chronology, MD1' 115, 129. In LH 1IIB1 the shape was decorated in the pictorial style only with animals, chariot scenes appeared later, in LH IIIB2 on this shape, MDP 95. 4

6 M

OMMSENM

ARAN 2000-2001, 102 4

7 Pictorial fragments were found inside the Citadel in the anteroom to the Temple (Room IX) and in room 7 of the South House Annex, FRENCH 2006, 46. Outside the Citadel many fragments were found at the Great Poros Wall, which was interpreted as an area where offerings were deposited, CROUWEL 1988, 34; French ibid. 48. Other fragments are known from the Petsas' House complex from potteiy storage areas, FRENCH ibid. 47-48. 4

8 On the role of hunting and its ritual aspects in Mycenaean society see MORRIS 1990, 151.