3rd – 1st cen B.C.
0.149m
0.062m
Βλαχοπούλου – Οικονόμου, Α. (1979) Έντυπες σφραγίδες σε λαβές αμφορέων από το Νεκυομαντείο του Αχέροντα και τη Δωδώνη, σ. 279-297.
Μεχτίδης Π. – Παλαιοθόδωρος Δ. (2006) «Κνίδος (Αρχαιότητα)», Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Μείζονος Ελληνισμού, Μ. Ασία διαθέσιμο στο: http://asiaminor.
ehw.gr/Forms/fLemmaBodyExtended.aspx?lemmaID=4865
Sealed handle of Cnidian amphora
Part of the rim and the stamped andle of a commercial Cnidian amphora. On the horizontal part of the handle, the rectangular stamp imprint measures 0.05m. x 0.018m. A four-line inscription is faintly legible from left to right. The following letters are preserved:
A bunch of grapes is depicted to the right of the inscription, possibly indicating the amphora’s contents.
Many amphorae feature a stamp on the upper part of the handle (or handles), made before firing, which indicates the origin and date of the contents, as well as oversight by an official authority. Cnidos was using stamped amphorae for wine export, from the early 3rd century B.C., up to the 1st century B.C. The stamps are either square or round, usually stating the name of the Eponymous Archon (annual state official), the potter and the ethnic name, accompanied by a variety of symbols. The inscribed Cnidian amphorae are the most popular of their kind, and the huge demand for them in the main destinations of the Eastern Mediterranean attests to the success and reputation of Cnidian winemakers.