Evans, Arthur J.: The Palace of Minos: a comparative account of the successive stages of the early Cretan civilization as illustred by the discoveries at Knossos (Band 2,2): Town houses in Knossos of the new era and restored West Palace Section (London, 1928)

652

MINOAN BRONZE 'HYDRIA' FROM CYPRUS

Minoan
'hydrias'
from
Cyprus.

Marine
relief on
Kurion
' hydria' :
L. M. IA

c

_")

It has already been pointed out that many of the tributary vessels illus-
trated in these sepulchral scenes, even those of later tombs of the Theban

group, such as that of
Rekhmara and Men-
kheper'ra-senb, really
go back to prototypes
of the great transitional
age, such as the bronzes
found in the North-
West Treasure House.
Of great impor-
tance in relation to the
' tributary' offerings
from Keftiu are the
two exceptionally large
bronze ' hydrias ' from
Cyprus, both exhibit-
ing reliefs that point to
a religious destination,
and clearly of Minoan
fabric.

The first of these '
shows at the base of
each handle threebull's
heads facing — each
contained in a looped
oval, like a handled
pan. Above are three
pairs of confronted
Minoan Genii holding high-handled ewers, and round the rim is a continuous
circle of bulls at full gallop, pursued by lions.

The second 'hydria' (Fig. 417) from Kurion,2 and evidently a fellow
piece to the other, has been already referred to in connexion with the marine
designs at the base of each handle, which, from their fine free character, fit
on to the masterpieces of this style, and can hardly be brought down later
than the close of the First Late Minoan Period. The upper part of the

Fig. 417. Bronze ' Hydria' of L. M. I Fabric from Cyprus.

1 See Perrot et Chipiez, L'art dans /'a/iti-
quiti, iii, pp. 794-6, and Figs. 555, 556 ; J. L.
Myres, Cesnola Co/lection, pp. 478-9, No.

4703 (cf. p. 305, above, n. 1).

2 See M. Markides, B. S. A., xviii, pp. 94-7,
and PI. VIII. In the Cyprus Museum.