LATE MINOAN.
125
A 742. BATH-TUB. Ht. 9i in. ; I. 2-ii in., w. 14 in. From Palaikastro, as A 736. Palaikastro,
p. 155. Most of one side and part of base restored, two handles wanting.
Shape and fabric as A 743. Below the handles is a frieze of four-petalled
flowers in black-red varnish, with
plain bands above and below; and
in a narrow band on the level of the
handles there are remains of double-
curved hatching. Foot, lip and bases
of handles black. (Fig. 167.)
A 743. BATH-TUB. Ht. 21 in.; 1. 51 in.,
w. 23 in. From Palaikastro, as A 736.
Oblong-oval shape, with a round loop handle set horizontally in the middle
of each side, just below the flat projecting rim ; around the foot is a broad, flat
band, and below the lip a ridge. In one end there is a small hole on the level
of the floor for drawing off the water. Dark grey clay, fired red on surface,
and covered with a thick light yellow slip which is soft and friable. This
has mostly flaked off, and with it the painting ; but a little is preserved. The
design is in black-red varnish. Under the handle of one long side is a large
octopus ; the lower corner on its right is filled with rock pattern composed of
concentric loops. This is bounded by a vertical zigzag between two straight
lines ; on the adjacent short side are horizontal waved lines, perhaps representing
the surface of the sea.
A 744. BATH-TUB, similar. Ht. iS in., 1. 47! in., w. 26 in. From Palaikastro, as A 736.
Very accurately modelled ; the lip is thicker than in the foregoing example,
and there is a ridge above the banded foot. Under each handle is a panel filled
with parallel curved chevrons,
and on each side of these, on
the long sides of the tub, a
large spiral coil. Lip and
foot black ; close bars on
handles. (Fig. 168.)
[L.M. III. These bath-tubs
were commonly used for coffins in
this period, but precisely similar
utensils were found in the houses
of Palaikastro. For tub-burials
there see Palaikastro, loc. tit., and
B.S.A., viii, p. 297 ; x, p. 227 ;
xi, pp. 290, 293 ; xii, p. 1. Sir Arthur Evans has remarked that the practice was very
probably the source of the legends that Minos and Agamemnon were killed in their baths :
Prehistoric Tombs of Knossos, p. 170.]
168 = A 744.
125
A 742. BATH-TUB. Ht. 9i in. ; I. 2-ii in., w. 14 in. From Palaikastro, as A 736. Palaikastro,
p. 155. Most of one side and part of base restored, two handles wanting.
Shape and fabric as A 743. Below the handles is a frieze of four-petalled
flowers in black-red varnish, with
plain bands above and below; and
in a narrow band on the level of the
handles there are remains of double-
curved hatching. Foot, lip and bases
of handles black. (Fig. 167.)
A 743. BATH-TUB. Ht. 21 in.; 1. 51 in.,
w. 23 in. From Palaikastro, as A 736.
Oblong-oval shape, with a round loop handle set horizontally in the middle
of each side, just below the flat projecting rim ; around the foot is a broad, flat
band, and below the lip a ridge. In one end there is a small hole on the level
of the floor for drawing off the water. Dark grey clay, fired red on surface,
and covered with a thick light yellow slip which is soft and friable. This
has mostly flaked off, and with it the painting ; but a little is preserved. The
design is in black-red varnish. Under the handle of one long side is a large
octopus ; the lower corner on its right is filled with rock pattern composed of
concentric loops. This is bounded by a vertical zigzag between two straight
lines ; on the adjacent short side are horizontal waved lines, perhaps representing
the surface of the sea.
A 744. BATH-TUB, similar. Ht. iS in., 1. 47! in., w. 26 in. From Palaikastro, as A 736.
Very accurately modelled ; the lip is thicker than in the foregoing example,
and there is a ridge above the banded foot. Under each handle is a panel filled
with parallel curved chevrons,
and on each side of these, on
the long sides of the tub, a
large spiral coil. Lip and
foot black ; close bars on
handles. (Fig. 168.)
[L.M. III. These bath-tubs
were commonly used for coffins in
this period, but precisely similar
utensils were found in the houses
of Palaikastro. For tub-burials
there see Palaikastro, loc. tit., and
B.S.A., viii, p. 297 ; x, p. 227 ;
xi, pp. 290, 293 ; xii, p. 1. Sir Arthur Evans has remarked that the practice was very
probably the source of the legends that Minos and Agamemnon were killed in their baths :
Prehistoric Tombs of Knossos, p. 170.]
168 = A 744.