DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.807#0138
I T 2
THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.
Spirali-
form
Patterns.
interaction of the scrolls on signets and vases. Among typical patterns are
spirals, often linked by ribbon-like connexions expanding into an elongated
lozenge-shaped form. Disks connected in the same way are frequent.
Some are filled with a lattice work of hatched lines, some contain a cruciform
pattern or have their margins intersected by segments of circles. Festoons
are of frequent occurrence, and a twisted cord or cable pattern which at
times breaks up into a succession of SS. Some typical specimens are given
in Fig. 79.1 Figs. 80, a, 6, show a series of illustrative fragments of this ware
from the North Trench at Go'urnia2 and Palaikastro. Fig. 80^, i anticipates
the later 'rosette', 2, the 'asterisk' and spiral,
so much affected on L M. I vase decoration.
Together with these geometrical de-
cs o
signs may be noted some very rude attempts
to delineate animal forms. Several painted
sherds from the same deposit at Gournia
bear summary sketches of goats showing
the head and the whole or part of the
body filled in with cross-hatching. The
small fragment Fig. 80 a, 8 shows part of the
head and the fore-legs of the animal.3
Curvilinear motives already begin to
appear on seals of the preceding Period, witness the cylinder, Fig. 64, b,
with interlocked curves. But the first generalization of the spiral system in
Crete, and its application not only to signets and other objects of soft stone
but to ceramic decoration, is a characteristic phenomenon of E. M. III.
There can be little doubt that its introduction into Minoan Crete
was due to Cycladic influences, which at this epoch reach their maximum.
We see the system already highly developed on Early Cycladic pyxides such
as the well-known example from Melos with a representation of a hut. An
example of a steatite pyxis with linked spiral ornament found in Crete,
and representing either an importation from a Cycladic source or an indigenous
copy, is given in Fig. 81, a. It is closed with a lid, on which the same orna-
ment appears.4 A steatite 'button' from the Hagios Onuphrios Deposit5
Fig. 79. Typical E. M. Ill
Ceramic Patterns (E. H. Hall).
1 Fig. 79 is from Edith H. Hall, The Decora-
tive Art of Crete in the Bronze Age, p. 7, Fig. 6
(cf. Transactions Dept. of Arch., Univ. of
Pennsylvania, i, Pt. Ill, Pis. XXVI-XXXIII.
2 From Boyd Hawes, Gournia,^. 57, Fig. 42
(E. H. Hall).
3 Others are reproduced by Miss Hall (pp.
cit., p. 9, Fig. 8).
4 From the Naue Collection. Cf. the similar
clay pyxis from Syra, 'E</>.' Apx- ,1899, PI. VIII. 12.
5 Cretan Dictographs, &c. (J. H. S., xiv),
p. 59, Fig. 50.
THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.
Spirali-
form
Patterns.
interaction of the scrolls on signets and vases. Among typical patterns are
spirals, often linked by ribbon-like connexions expanding into an elongated
lozenge-shaped form. Disks connected in the same way are frequent.
Some are filled with a lattice work of hatched lines, some contain a cruciform
pattern or have their margins intersected by segments of circles. Festoons
are of frequent occurrence, and a twisted cord or cable pattern which at
times breaks up into a succession of SS. Some typical specimens are given
in Fig. 79.1 Figs. 80, a, 6, show a series of illustrative fragments of this ware
from the North Trench at Go'urnia2 and Palaikastro. Fig. 80^, i anticipates
the later 'rosette', 2, the 'asterisk' and spiral,
so much affected on L M. I vase decoration.
Together with these geometrical de-
cs o
signs may be noted some very rude attempts
to delineate animal forms. Several painted
sherds from the same deposit at Gournia
bear summary sketches of goats showing
the head and the whole or part of the
body filled in with cross-hatching. The
small fragment Fig. 80 a, 8 shows part of the
head and the fore-legs of the animal.3
Curvilinear motives already begin to
appear on seals of the preceding Period, witness the cylinder, Fig. 64, b,
with interlocked curves. But the first generalization of the spiral system in
Crete, and its application not only to signets and other objects of soft stone
but to ceramic decoration, is a characteristic phenomenon of E. M. III.
There can be little doubt that its introduction into Minoan Crete
was due to Cycladic influences, which at this epoch reach their maximum.
We see the system already highly developed on Early Cycladic pyxides such
as the well-known example from Melos with a representation of a hut. An
example of a steatite pyxis with linked spiral ornament found in Crete,
and representing either an importation from a Cycladic source or an indigenous
copy, is given in Fig. 81, a. It is closed with a lid, on which the same orna-
ment appears.4 A steatite 'button' from the Hagios Onuphrios Deposit5
Fig. 79. Typical E. M. Ill
Ceramic Patterns (E. H. Hall).
1 Fig. 79 is from Edith H. Hall, The Decora-
tive Art of Crete in the Bronze Age, p. 7, Fig. 6
(cf. Transactions Dept. of Arch., Univ. of
Pennsylvania, i, Pt. Ill, Pis. XXVI-XXXIII.
2 From Boyd Hawes, Gournia,^. 57, Fig. 42
(E. H. Hall).
3 Others are reproduced by Miss Hall (pp.
cit., p. 9, Fig. 8).
4 From the Naue Collection. Cf. the similar
clay pyxis from Syra, 'E</>.' Apx- ,1899, PI. VIII. 12.
5 Cretan Dictographs, &c. (J. H. S., xiv),
p. 59, Fig. 50.