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)

5H

OPPOSED GRIFFINS ON SIGNETS

base of a series of intaglio designs the derivation of which from originals
depicted on the walls is thus indicated.1

The grouping here of the Griffins in double pairs is authenticated by the
fragment showing sections of two tails symmetrically opposed. Griffins back

Fig. 359

Part of Painted Stucco Base with Triple Gradations supporting Frieze
of Sphinxes and Columns.

Opposed
griffins,
com-
pared
with
signet
type.

Column
here
baetylic
form of
divinity.

to back occur on more than one intaglio type, as, for instance, on a gold
signet-ring from Mycenae, Fig. 360. A very interesting commentary on the
frieze is supplied by a lentoid gem from the same site 2 (Fig. 361) on which
two heraldically opposed Griffins appear with their feet on an altar base and
bound to a column, that rests upon it like that between the lion supporters
of the Mycenae tympanum.

The religious intention of this and similar schemes has been explained
in my work on Mycenaean Tree and Pillar Cult.3 The column here is the
baetylic form of the divinity, capable, through proper rites and incantations,
of being actually possessed by it. It is the emblematic ' pillar of the house'

1 See P. of M., i, p. 687 seqq. see my Myc. Tree and Pillar Cult, p. 60,

2 Tsoimtas, Mviojrai, PL V. 6 ; Tsountas Fig. 36.

and Manatt, Mycenaean Age, p. 254, Fig. 131; 3 P. 58 seqq. (architectural columns with

Furtw., Ant. Gemmen, iii, p. 44, Fig. 18, and animal supporters).