The close-up of the ai in goistAIs, the A in dia and the S in Xrhstou sure look invasive through a dry slip. Wasn't the cup fired before the slip was applied and then fired again briefly?
Jack ----- Original Message ----- From: Jean-Luc Fournet To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 5:00 PM Subject: Re: [PAPY] Dia Christou, &c. Dear Jack and Peter, An inscription made after firing would not look like that: the line of the incised letters would not be so neat. If the letters appear clearer, it is because the clay is clearer than the external slip. They were made before firing but after the slip was applied on the pottery. I have studied inscriptions on amphoras for many years and came across many times this kind of graffiti and I must confess that I am not surprised by this one. But noboby is infallible and, since it is a ceramic object, I propose to ask directly ceramologists: they will surely have an authoritative opinion. As far as the writing is concerned, 3rd century seems to me highly unlikely. Best wishes, Jean-Luc Le 18 sept. 08, à 21:41, Peter Green a écrit : Jean-Luc, can you explain what features lead you to believe the inscription was made before firing? The brown slip appears to have been flaked and disturbed by the stylus after firing. The letters appear, to me, to expose clay that is lighter because it was not exposed directly to the heat of firing. Thank you, Jack. My thinking exactly, and I couldn't have put it better. Peter Green --
