DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7476#0096
So ELGIN SLAB WITH STATIONARY BULL
which, indeed, abundant ancient quarries exist on the opposite hill of
Gypsades.
The material, therefore, as well as the artistic parentage of the designs
is Cretan, and it is reasonable to suppose that the stucco frieze of the North
Fig. 57. Part of Relief of Stationary Bull on Gypsum Slab from Mycenae : restored.
Entrance of the Palace, like the M. M. Ill decorative reliefs such as are
seen at its South-Western and North-Western Entrances and its Early
South Propylaeum, were imitated at one and the same time. The dowel
and clamp holes of the Elgin slabs are identical with those of the reliefs
from the tympanum, and are clearly contemporary works. On the other
hand, the style as a whole, though on a smaller scale and in a different
material, closely approaches that of the painted stucco frieze from the North
Entrance at Knossos.
It is certain—from a mere calculation of dimensions—that the frieze to
which the Elgin slabs belonged did not form part of the facade of the
' Atreus' tomb. It seems necessary to conclude that this had formed part
of the surface decoration of the walls of the dromos itself, which had certainly
undergone radical changes. These matters, however, lie beyond my present
theme.1
1 I have made some suggestions on this head in § 75 of P. of M., vol. iii.
which, indeed, abundant ancient quarries exist on the opposite hill of
Gypsades.
The material, therefore, as well as the artistic parentage of the designs
is Cretan, and it is reasonable to suppose that the stucco frieze of the North
Fig. 57. Part of Relief of Stationary Bull on Gypsum Slab from Mycenae : restored.
Entrance of the Palace, like the M. M. Ill decorative reliefs such as are
seen at its South-Western and North-Western Entrances and its Early
South Propylaeum, were imitated at one and the same time. The dowel
and clamp holes of the Elgin slabs are identical with those of the reliefs
from the tympanum, and are clearly contemporary works. On the other
hand, the style as a whole, though on a smaller scale and in a different
material, closely approaches that of the painted stucco frieze from the North
Entrance at Knossos.
It is certain—from a mere calculation of dimensions—that the frieze to
which the Elgin slabs belonged did not form part of the facade of the
' Atreus' tomb. It seems necessary to conclude that this had formed part
of the surface decoration of the walls of the dromos itself, which had certainly
undergone radical changes. These matters, however, lie beyond my present
theme.1
1 I have made some suggestions on this head in § 75 of P. of M., vol. iii.