DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.811#0224
RELIEFS ON VAPHEIO CUP A
181
Fig. 125.
sensational design, is here reproduced from the fine original drawing of
Monsieur E. Gillieron, pere,1 as well as the tamer subject, centring round
a decoy cow, of the com-
panion vessel (B). The
photographic views (Figs.
124-127) bring out indi-
vidual scenes.
The three episodes
here grouped together must
be regarded as the results
of a ' drive ' of wild or half-
wild bulls along the bottom
of some wooded glen with
rocky steeps beyond on
either side. The animals
were thus hurried forward
on a kind of ' obstacle
race' towards the point
where their wild career
was checked by a rope
cradle stretched across the
course between two olive-trees, to the trunks of which the ropes were made
fast. The same device in a simpler shape, where only a single rope was used,
has been already illustrated by the miniature painting on the crystal plaque.2
The object immediately in view was, by checking the headlong rush of
the animals, to afford the ' cow-boys', ambushed near the obstacle, an oppor-
tunity of showing their acrobatic skill of grappling the bulls. In one case it
will be seen that the beast has either turned in time or has cleared the
barrier, and is galloping off to the right. The middle scene shows a bull,
who, endeavouring too late to turn, has been caught sideways in the cradle
and is partly entangled in it3 (Fig. 124). The bull to the left, however,
has either avoided or cleared the rope barrier, and has already given a very
good account of one of his assailants. The youth to the right is flung to
the ground, his arms thrown behind him like the stricken lion-hunter on the
dagger-blade from the Mycenae Shaft-Grave.4
1 My thanks are due to his son for these ' Coloured Plate XIX, and cf. p. no, Fig.
reproductions of M. Gillie'ron's anastatic draw-
ings. For the fine photographs from which
Figs. 125-7 are reproduced I am indebted
to the kindness of Prof. G. Karo.
Girl clinging with Legs and Arms to Bull's
Horns. From Vapheio Cup.
61.
3 There is no question of a ' net' in the
ordinary sense.
4 See above, p. 121, Fig. 71, a.
181
Fig. 125.
sensational design, is here reproduced from the fine original drawing of
Monsieur E. Gillieron, pere,1 as well as the tamer subject, centring round
a decoy cow, of the com-
panion vessel (B). The
photographic views (Figs.
124-127) bring out indi-
vidual scenes.
The three episodes
here grouped together must
be regarded as the results
of a ' drive ' of wild or half-
wild bulls along the bottom
of some wooded glen with
rocky steeps beyond on
either side. The animals
were thus hurried forward
on a kind of ' obstacle
race' towards the point
where their wild career
was checked by a rope
cradle stretched across the
course between two olive-trees, to the trunks of which the ropes were made
fast. The same device in a simpler shape, where only a single rope was used,
has been already illustrated by the miniature painting on the crystal plaque.2
The object immediately in view was, by checking the headlong rush of
the animals, to afford the ' cow-boys', ambushed near the obstacle, an oppor-
tunity of showing their acrobatic skill of grappling the bulls. In one case it
will be seen that the beast has either turned in time or has cleared the
barrier, and is galloping off to the right. The middle scene shows a bull,
who, endeavouring too late to turn, has been caught sideways in the cradle
and is partly entangled in it3 (Fig. 124). The bull to the left, however,
has either avoided or cleared the rope barrier, and has already given a very
good account of one of his assailants. The youth to the right is flung to
the ground, his arms thrown behind him like the stricken lion-hunter on the
dagger-blade from the Mycenae Shaft-Grave.4
1 My thanks are due to his son for these ' Coloured Plate XIX, and cf. p. no, Fig.
reproductions of M. Gillie'ron's anastatic draw-
ings. For the fine photographs from which
Figs. 125-7 are reproduced I am indebted
to the kindness of Prof. G. Karo.
Girl clinging with Legs and Arms to Bull's
Horns. From Vapheio Cup.
61.
3 There is no question of a ' net' in the
ordinary sense.
4 See above, p. 121, Fig. 71, a.