DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42779#0022
2 PREHISTORIC PERIODS
the period. It is thus impossible to distinguish with absolute
precision the small sculptures from the gems of Minoan
times from the purely technical point of view. On examina-
tion it will be seen that, in effect, there is no method of
carving used in Minoan stone figures which is not also used
by the gem-cutters. At the same time that does not mean
that all the tools used for gem-cutting are used in Minoan
stonework, but rather that some only are used and none that
are not the tools of gem-cutters.
There are only two representations in stone of the human
figure that have been found in Crete in reliable circumstances
in the course of scientific excavation. The better of the two
comes from Tylissos1 and is of a hard green stone. It is the
figure of a worshipper exactly in the manner of the bronzes
of that type.2 His right hand is held over his right eye, the
stomach is protruded, as always in the bronzes. The left arm
is down vertically by his side, and the whole figure stands
on a small pedestal. It is, in fact, a copy in stone of a con-
ventional type of bronze figure and, as such, of the greatest
interest. The figure measures 8 cm. in height and has been
made by a process of careful and painstaking rubbing with
an abrasive. The lines of rubbing along the left arm and
legs are very clear. No chisel or cutting instrument has been
used. The line of contact of the rubbing instrument with
the stone was always at right angles so that the rubber
corresponds in action to the gem-cutter’s wheel, with the
difference that the wheel would have effected in a few
minutes what the hand-worked rubber removed in the space
of some hours. The principles of action of the two instru-
ments are essentially the same.
The other figure3 is altogether cruder. It comes from
Porti and is the figure of a man in grey stone, complete
1 No. 219 in the Museum at Candia. It has not been published. It has
been suggested that this figure is a forgery, but I see no reason to accept this
suggestion.
2 W. Lamb, Greek and Roman Bronzes, pi. v, a-d.
3 Xanthoudides, Vaulted Tombs of Mesara, pi. xxxix, No. 171.
the period. It is thus impossible to distinguish with absolute
precision the small sculptures from the gems of Minoan
times from the purely technical point of view. On examina-
tion it will be seen that, in effect, there is no method of
carving used in Minoan stone figures which is not also used
by the gem-cutters. At the same time that does not mean
that all the tools used for gem-cutting are used in Minoan
stonework, but rather that some only are used and none that
are not the tools of gem-cutters.
There are only two representations in stone of the human
figure that have been found in Crete in reliable circumstances
in the course of scientific excavation. The better of the two
comes from Tylissos1 and is of a hard green stone. It is the
figure of a worshipper exactly in the manner of the bronzes
of that type.2 His right hand is held over his right eye, the
stomach is protruded, as always in the bronzes. The left arm
is down vertically by his side, and the whole figure stands
on a small pedestal. It is, in fact, a copy in stone of a con-
ventional type of bronze figure and, as such, of the greatest
interest. The figure measures 8 cm. in height and has been
made by a process of careful and painstaking rubbing with
an abrasive. The lines of rubbing along the left arm and
legs are very clear. No chisel or cutting instrument has been
used. The line of contact of the rubbing instrument with
the stone was always at right angles so that the rubber
corresponds in action to the gem-cutter’s wheel, with the
difference that the wheel would have effected in a few
minutes what the hand-worked rubber removed in the space
of some hours. The principles of action of the two instru-
ments are essentially the same.
The other figure3 is altogether cruder. It comes from
Porti and is the figure of a man in grey stone, complete
1 No. 219 in the Museum at Candia. It has not been published. It has
been suggested that this figure is a forgery, but I see no reason to accept this
suggestion.
2 W. Lamb, Greek and Roman Bronzes, pi. v, a-d.
3 Xanthoudides, Vaulted Tombs of Mesara, pi. xxxix, No. 171.