ABSTRACT
Inscriptions first appear on Greek pots in the later eighth century, but do not become at all numerous till the sixth and even then are relatively few. They may be painted or incised, or even written in ink or stamped. A more significant distinction is whether they were executed before or after firing, by the painter or by the merchant or purchaser. As it happens, nearly all painted inscriptions other than merchants' marks were put on before firing and nearly all incised inscriptions after firing. The exceptions can easily be detected, since incision before firing (when the pot is leatherhard) leaves a clean and not a ragged edge to the cut, and painting after firing is usually under the foot and - if the test is permitted - can be removed by methylated spirit or some other solvent.
