DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8755#0132
Knossos Excavations, 1903.
121
general type though with the handles lower down the body and of some-
what more archaic aspect.
Amongst the other vessels are the usual cups (Fig. 74e>f) w'tn a
black ground and white and vermilion bands. A graceful two-handled
vase (c) is also shown in Fig. 74, with a white continuous spiral on a dark
ground.
A much more magnificent object is a vase with a spout and two
handles like the last but of higher build. A back view of this vessel which
was found in a practically intact condition is given in Fig. 75.1 The
black and white drawing, indeed, though it shows the design can give but a
laint idea of the brilliant effect of the polychrome decoration, in which
creamy white, orange and crimson are variously distributed on a lustrous
black ground. The front design is the same as the back, and the sides
show in each case beneath the handle a graceful fleur-de-lis pattern.
Both this and part of the scroll-work on the other faces present a distinct
affinity to the decorative motives of some of the finest contemporary
signets, at times associated with pictographic inscriptions.
§ 19.—Hoard of Bronze Vessels and Keftian Offertory
Scene.
About the centre of the area at present exposed of the North-West
Building a group of small walled spaces was brought to light. In one of
these, not more than 2 metres by ih in dimensions, some loose earth fell
away in the course of the excavation and disclosed what at first sight
appeared to be a set of bronze cups on their sides, ranged one above the
other. On further clearing however it turned out that the supposed cups
were the handles of a pile of four large bronze basins, while in an upright
position beside them, stood a fine single-handled ewer, or oenoclwc, of the
same metal.
The discovery was the more interesting since,—owing no doubt to the
careful search for portable treasure at the time of the great catastrophe
of the Palace,—no large metal vessels had hitherto been found on the site.
The bronze vessels lay at a depth of only about a metre below the surface
of the ground, higher that is by the same distance than the usual level of
1 It is 22 centimetres in height and its body the same in diameter.
121
general type though with the handles lower down the body and of some-
what more archaic aspect.
Amongst the other vessels are the usual cups (Fig. 74e>f) w'tn a
black ground and white and vermilion bands. A graceful two-handled
vase (c) is also shown in Fig. 74, with a white continuous spiral on a dark
ground.
A much more magnificent object is a vase with a spout and two
handles like the last but of higher build. A back view of this vessel which
was found in a practically intact condition is given in Fig. 75.1 The
black and white drawing, indeed, though it shows the design can give but a
laint idea of the brilliant effect of the polychrome decoration, in which
creamy white, orange and crimson are variously distributed on a lustrous
black ground. The front design is the same as the back, and the sides
show in each case beneath the handle a graceful fleur-de-lis pattern.
Both this and part of the scroll-work on the other faces present a distinct
affinity to the decorative motives of some of the finest contemporary
signets, at times associated with pictographic inscriptions.
§ 19.—Hoard of Bronze Vessels and Keftian Offertory
Scene.
About the centre of the area at present exposed of the North-West
Building a group of small walled spaces was brought to light. In one of
these, not more than 2 metres by ih in dimensions, some loose earth fell
away in the course of the excavation and disclosed what at first sight
appeared to be a set of bronze cups on their sides, ranged one above the
other. On further clearing however it turned out that the supposed cups
were the handles of a pile of four large bronze basins, while in an upright
position beside them, stood a fine single-handled ewer, or oenoclwc, of the
same metal.
The discovery was the more interesting since,—owing no doubt to the
careful search for portable treasure at the time of the great catastrophe
of the Palace,—no large metal vessels had hitherto been found on the site.
The bronze vessels lay at a depth of only about a metre below the surface
of the ground, higher that is by the same distance than the usual level of
1 It is 22 centimetres in height and its body the same in diameter.