General Information

The term Atticizing refers to black-glaze wares that imitate Athenian production in both ware features and shapes. There are multiple production sites throughout the Mediterranean, with several located on the Aegean coast of Turkey. Although Attic pottery influenced local production in many places, Atticizing refers to more literal copying of Athenian pottery features. 

The beginning of regional Attic imitations coincides with the migration of Athenian potters during the Peloponnesian War.

Atticizing wares should be distinguished from the widespread group of Western Asia Minor (WAM) black slip wares. While Atticizing wares comprise very deliberate "copy-cat" versions of Attic black glaze pottery, WAM black slip wares are casual products which follow the spirit of Attic table ware, but do not pretend to imitate it.

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish Atticizing from true Attic, especially for products of the late 5th and 4th centuries BCE. The fabric tends to be less well levigated with visible inclusions and a crumbly texture. The glaze can be metallic or thick as opposed to lustrous. Not all Attic shapes get imitated. The most common Atticizing forms are bolsals, kantharoi, skyphoi, bowls, and sometimes one-handlers. Vessels follow the stamping and rouletting patterns of Attic models, but sometimes with duller or less articulated stamps. Interestingly, Atticizing production of these shapes continues long after they ceased to be made in Athens.

Attic imitation ware

Paphos/Nea Paphos (Cyprus/Western South Coast)

Khirbet er-Rasm (Israel/Shephelah)

Antioch/Antakya (Turkey/Eastern Mediterranean)

Sardis (Turkey/Aegean)

Troy, Ilion (Turkey/Marmara)