DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.811#0346
REMAINS OF PROCESSIONAL FRESCOES: L.M.I, a
Belong to
partial
restora-
tion to-
wards
close of
L. M. I a.
' Service
Stair-
case.'
Compact
planning
of inner
region.
flowers, like it, of a deep red colour, with alternating blue and yellow ground.
Immediately outside the adjoining wall on the North side, overlooking the
little Court, was also found part of the leg of a male figure, possibly
belonging to the same design. It would thus appear that this chamber,
and perhaps part of the border region, was adorned with processional subjects
resembling those that play so large a part in the entrance system of the
West wing of the Palace. Reasons have been already given for attributing
this scheme of fresco decoration to an epoch of partial restoration that
coincides with the mature L. M. I a phase,1 and the parallel evidence here
supplied from the Domestic Quarter, where we possess valid data for such
a restoration at that epoch, goes far to confirm this conclusion.
Bordering the adjoining corridor and bay was the ' Service Staircase ',
originally a woodwork construction, the third flight of which has now been
restored above its lower stair-block, still preserved, to its third landing.
Here was certainly a second window immediately above that which still
opens on its lower flight and landing and, like this, gaining its light from
the well of the Grand Staircase.
The whole arrangement, both above and below, of this region of the
Domestic Quarter—centring round the upper and lower ' Treasuries ' with
their blind walls—is singularly compact, and, though in certain respects
a modification of the original scheme is clearly traceable, the final result
must be regarded as a triumph of skilful architectural planning. It passes
comprehension, indeed, that the highly practical laying out of this inner
region, fitted together with consummate skill into a single block—drained,
ventilated, and lighted in a scientific fashion—should be looked on as
fulfilling the idea of a maze, with its blind alleys and the inconsequent
meanderings of a Labyrinth !
1 P. ofM., ii, Pt. II, p. 736.
Belong to
partial
restora-
tion to-
wards
close of
L. M. I a.
' Service
Stair-
case.'
Compact
planning
of inner
region.
flowers, like it, of a deep red colour, with alternating blue and yellow ground.
Immediately outside the adjoining wall on the North side, overlooking the
little Court, was also found part of the leg of a male figure, possibly
belonging to the same design. It would thus appear that this chamber,
and perhaps part of the border region, was adorned with processional subjects
resembling those that play so large a part in the entrance system of the
West wing of the Palace. Reasons have been already given for attributing
this scheme of fresco decoration to an epoch of partial restoration that
coincides with the mature L. M. I a phase,1 and the parallel evidence here
supplied from the Domestic Quarter, where we possess valid data for such
a restoration at that epoch, goes far to confirm this conclusion.
Bordering the adjoining corridor and bay was the ' Service Staircase ',
originally a woodwork construction, the third flight of which has now been
restored above its lower stair-block, still preserved, to its third landing.
Here was certainly a second window immediately above that which still
opens on its lower flight and landing and, like this, gaining its light from
the well of the Grand Staircase.
The whole arrangement, both above and below, of this region of the
Domestic Quarter—centring round the upper and lower ' Treasuries ' with
their blind walls—is singularly compact, and, though in certain respects
a modification of the original scheme is clearly traceable, the final result
must be regarded as a triumph of skilful architectural planning. It passes
comprehension, indeed, that the highly practical laying out of this inner
region, fitted together with consummate skill into a single block—drained,
ventilated, and lighted in a scientific fashion—should be looked on as
fulfilling the idea of a maze, with its blind alleys and the inconsequent
meanderings of a Labyrinth !
1 P. ofM., ii, Pt. II, p. 736.