DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1118#0036
392
THE CHALICE OF THE MINOAN GODDESS
Basin on
a Vapheio
intaglio.
What is specially interesting to note in this connexion is that a vessel
of the same chalice-like form, with a triple ring clearly marked, is seen in
the hand of the Goddess—for such we may suppose her to be in this case
too—seated on a folding-stool
on the great signet-ring of
the ' Tiryns Treasure '. This
is well shown by the enlarged
section of a part of the design
given here in Fig. 329,a. Here,
as is more fully shown below,1
the liquid contents of the cup
are supplied by a succession of
four Genii, of the leonine Mi-
noan kind, holding up the
spouted ewers — with which
they are so often associated in
scenes of libation.
A curious parallel to the
form of this- chalice is more-
over presented by the basin
into which on an intaglio from
the Vapheio Tomb, Minoan
Genii are seen pouring similar libations. An enlarged photographic view
of this section is given in Fig. 329, b, a fuller illustration being reserved for
the succeeding section dealing with the Minoan Genii themselves.-
From what has been already said we seem here to have before us a
series of scenes of a sacramental nature in which chalices that may, as we
shall see, have contained the juice of a Sacred Tree, were passed from hand
to hand, to be sipped by the seated votaries, to whom something of the
divine essence was thus communicated.
Fig. 216). Orthodox Greek parallels to the dove
chalice of Mycenae are to be seen in the silver
Communion cups with a dove perched on the
handle. A curious adaptation of this religious
motive appears in a miniature silver cup from
Georgia (Fig. 328). On a short pin rising
within the bowl is supported a flying dove,
and two are perched on its handles.
1 See below, p. 460, Fig. 385. . Fig. 328. Miniature Silver Dove
"- See lli. Chalice, Georgia.
Gold Vessel from Grave IV, My-
cenae, COMPARED WITH ( CuP OF NeSTOr'.
THE CHALICE OF THE MINOAN GODDESS
Basin on
a Vapheio
intaglio.
What is specially interesting to note in this connexion is that a vessel
of the same chalice-like form, with a triple ring clearly marked, is seen in
the hand of the Goddess—for such we may suppose her to be in this case
too—seated on a folding-stool
on the great signet-ring of
the ' Tiryns Treasure '. This
is well shown by the enlarged
section of a part of the design
given here in Fig. 329,a. Here,
as is more fully shown below,1
the liquid contents of the cup
are supplied by a succession of
four Genii, of the leonine Mi-
noan kind, holding up the
spouted ewers — with which
they are so often associated in
scenes of libation.
A curious parallel to the
form of this- chalice is more-
over presented by the basin
into which on an intaglio from
the Vapheio Tomb, Minoan
Genii are seen pouring similar libations. An enlarged photographic view
of this section is given in Fig. 329, b, a fuller illustration being reserved for
the succeeding section dealing with the Minoan Genii themselves.-
From what has been already said we seem here to have before us a
series of scenes of a sacramental nature in which chalices that may, as we
shall see, have contained the juice of a Sacred Tree, were passed from hand
to hand, to be sipped by the seated votaries, to whom something of the
divine essence was thus communicated.
Fig. 216). Orthodox Greek parallels to the dove
chalice of Mycenae are to be seen in the silver
Communion cups with a dove perched on the
handle. A curious adaptation of this religious
motive appears in a miniature silver cup from
Georgia (Fig. 328). On a short pin rising
within the bowl is supported a flying dove,
and two are perched on its handles.
1 See below, p. 460, Fig. 385. . Fig. 328. Miniature Silver Dove
"- See lli. Chalice, Georgia.
Gold Vessel from Grave IV, My-
cenae, COMPARED WITH ( CuP OF NeSTOr'.