DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.807#0108
82
THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.
Double
Spouted
Egyptian
Vessels.
Double
Spouted
Cretan
Type.
c
Egyptian
Form for
Dual Li-
bations.
and alabaster or 'aragonite', belonging to the early dynasties. These
Egyptian forms—of which the copper type seems to be the original—are
also distinguished by their prominent spouts into which the liquid passed
by a similar small hole in the wall of the vessel (Fig. 48, a). With these are
often associated in proto-dynastic graves copper cups and bowls of
a type (Fig. 48, b) suggestive of a long Minoan series, with and without
handles.
The presumption that this early class of Egyptian ' ewer ' exercised an
influence on certain forms of Early Minoan vases is, moreover, carried still
further by another not infrequent feature. Many of the Egyptian ewers
show the curious peculiarity of a double outlet. Sometimes the spout is
divided by a partition running down its centre, each channel being provided
with a separate hole (see Fig. 49, b)} At other times this dual arrangement
takes the form of a pair of spouts set side by side, as exemplified by two
copper ewers from the Tomb of Khasekhemui of the First Dynasty.2 That
this was, in fact, the earlier variety of double spout is seen from its occurrence
in the case of a limestone bowl from a Late Pre-dynastic grave at Naqada,
Fig. 49, ay
It is, therefore, a highly significant fact that a similar form of double
spout should recur in a class of' bridge-spouted ' vessels which are the modified
descendants of the Early Minoan spouted jugs above described.4 The
steatite jug from Gournia, Fig. 50, representing a variety of this class, is
provided with a double spout practically identical with that exemplified by
the specimen from Naqada. The Gournia vessel, though itself probably
not later than the beginning of the Middle Minoan Age, thus perpetuates
a very early tradition of which more primitive examples may eventually come
to light on Cretan soil.
The peculiar arrangement — common to both the above types — of
a double outlet and channel dividing what was poured from the vessel into
two streams could serve no practical end and must surely have been due
to some religious motive. Prof. Flinders Petrie has suo-o-ested with reference
to the early Egyptian ewers with double spouts found in the tomb of King
Khasekhemui of the First Dynasty,5 that ' the motive for so strange a form
1 Fig. 49, b is an 'alabaster' (aragonite) 2 Petrie, Royal Tombs, ii,p. 26; PI. IX, 13,14.
vessel of Fourth Dynasty date from El Kab 3 Petrie Collection, University College.
(Ashmolean Museum). A copper ewer with 4 See my observations, Prehistoric Tombs of
divided spout of the same date from Mahasna Knossos (Quaritch, 1906), p. 149, where the
is in the Cairo Museum. (Fr. von Bissing, connexion with the Egyptian copper ewers was
Metallgefasse, &c, 3436.) first pointed out.
5 Royal Tombs, ii, p. 27.
THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.
Double
Spouted
Egyptian
Vessels.
Double
Spouted
Cretan
Type.
c
Egyptian
Form for
Dual Li-
bations.
and alabaster or 'aragonite', belonging to the early dynasties. These
Egyptian forms—of which the copper type seems to be the original—are
also distinguished by their prominent spouts into which the liquid passed
by a similar small hole in the wall of the vessel (Fig. 48, a). With these are
often associated in proto-dynastic graves copper cups and bowls of
a type (Fig. 48, b) suggestive of a long Minoan series, with and without
handles.
The presumption that this early class of Egyptian ' ewer ' exercised an
influence on certain forms of Early Minoan vases is, moreover, carried still
further by another not infrequent feature. Many of the Egyptian ewers
show the curious peculiarity of a double outlet. Sometimes the spout is
divided by a partition running down its centre, each channel being provided
with a separate hole (see Fig. 49, b)} At other times this dual arrangement
takes the form of a pair of spouts set side by side, as exemplified by two
copper ewers from the Tomb of Khasekhemui of the First Dynasty.2 That
this was, in fact, the earlier variety of double spout is seen from its occurrence
in the case of a limestone bowl from a Late Pre-dynastic grave at Naqada,
Fig. 49, ay
It is, therefore, a highly significant fact that a similar form of double
spout should recur in a class of' bridge-spouted ' vessels which are the modified
descendants of the Early Minoan spouted jugs above described.4 The
steatite jug from Gournia, Fig. 50, representing a variety of this class, is
provided with a double spout practically identical with that exemplified by
the specimen from Naqada. The Gournia vessel, though itself probably
not later than the beginning of the Middle Minoan Age, thus perpetuates
a very early tradition of which more primitive examples may eventually come
to light on Cretan soil.
The peculiar arrangement — common to both the above types — of
a double outlet and channel dividing what was poured from the vessel into
two streams could serve no practical end and must surely have been due
to some religious motive. Prof. Flinders Petrie has suo-o-ested with reference
to the early Egyptian ewers with double spouts found in the tomb of King
Khasekhemui of the First Dynasty,5 that ' the motive for so strange a form
1 Fig. 49, b is an 'alabaster' (aragonite) 2 Petrie, Royal Tombs, ii,p. 26; PI. IX, 13,14.
vessel of Fourth Dynasty date from El Kab 3 Petrie Collection, University College.
(Ashmolean Museum). A copper ewer with 4 See my observations, Prehistoric Tombs of
divided spout of the same date from Mahasna Knossos (Quaritch, 1906), p. 149, where the
is in the Cairo Museum. (Fr. von Bissing, connexion with the Egyptian copper ewers was
Metallgefasse, &c, 3436.) first pointed out.
5 Royal Tombs, ii, p. 27.