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 3): The great transitional age in the northern and eastern sections of the Palace (London, 1930)

THE GROUPS OF SEATED LADIES 51

indeed, the air of looking on. But the seated figures seem to be only con-
cerned with themselves and their own coterie, the subjects of conversation
at times provoking dramatic personal emotions.

Of the two groups, A and B, shown beside the little Temple and between The
it and the first pier on either side (see Coloured Plate XVII). that to the left ]acnes:
(A) can be recovered in its main composition from the remains of the upper Group A.

A 12 3 4 5

Fig. 29. The Seated Ladies : Group A. (See Coloured Plate XVII.)

part of four figures, all on one piece. The first of these (No. 2) entails the
original existence of another on the left, which, according to the space at
our disposal, would have completed the group.

The reconstitution of the first figure is here based on the corresponding
pair of Group B (Fig. 30, 1, 2). It suggests the intimate converse of two
confidantes. Nos. 3 and 5 to the right of this show a certain conformity with
3 and 4 of Group B, the raised hand of the first lady being seemingly indi-
cative of surprise at what she is hearing.

Group B may be practically regarded as complete except as regards the Group B.
heads of Nos. 2 and 3. Here the first pair are engaged in a very close tete-
a-tete talk, the right arm of the second lady being laid on the other's side as
if to arrest her attention. A special feature, moreover, in the case of the
second figure may have a definite intention. On the other female figures or
fragments of such in this series, the bosoms regularly show two mere dots,
indicating the nipples. In contrast to this, pendent breasts are here clearly
outlined—a matronly touch.

E 2