DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1117#0216
'SNAKE FRAMES' AND CRETAN BOW TYPES 171
In these cases the frame itself consists of only two members. Below the
groups we here see, as already noted, the ' triple gradation', with clear
indications of masonry.
Finally, in the bee-hive tomb at Dendra, near Mideia, Professor Dendra
Persson discovered a gold signet-ring depicting on its upper zone two „„„.
' frames' of the triple class provided with what look like small central
stands, while above these objecls are seen the fore-parts of two rams
with their bodies facing the spectator and their heads turned towards each
other (Fig. 134).l In the exergual space below are two couchant long-
horned animals. The snake-like object here is plaited together along its
middle section, a feature which, as noted below, may not be without its
significance.
Here we may recognize the fore-parts of sacred rams,2 with the ritual
' frames' placed in front of them as a sign of consecration, like the sacral
horns in analogous cases. A functional analogy is thus presented to the
Double Axes rising from the middle of both these cult objects.
Comparison with Cretan Bow Types. Nilotic Connexion of Earlier
Class.
In the careful review of the evidence concerning this 'frame' type, Q0m.
contained in his work on the Minoan-Mycenaean Religion, Professor Martin pamon
J & with
Nilsson has appositely brought these objects into relation with those that Cretan
appear above a horned head on certain seal types from Zakro3 (see Fig. 136).
He further compared the shape of these—as Dr. Hogarth had done before
him*—with the outline of a well-known class of ancient bows. Of this
equation there can be no reasonable doubt.
1 Reproduced from A. W. Persson, Kituga- forefeet are Inelegantly turned in, but other-
graveni Dendra, Gnld/ynd och. andrafyndfrdn wise, surely, they are ordinary rams. For
Utgr&oningarna, 1926 och 1927, p. 93, Fig. 92: horned sheep seen in seal types as sacred
see, too, p. 92. R. Tombs at Dendra, Pl.XVU, animals bound to baetylic columns, see
p. 55. It was first published by Prof. M. Nilsson, P. of M., iii, p. 317, Figs. 208, 209.
in his work on the MinoaitrMycenaeanReligion, s Martin P. Nilsson, The Minoan-My-
p. 3rT, Fig. 91, referred to below. cenaean Religion and its survival in Greek
- I can see no reason for calling them Religion (Lund, 1927), p. 313 seqq., and cf.
' monster^ ' and invoking the fantastic forms Fig. 93, seal-impression from Zakro.
of Zakro sealings, as Nilsson, op. tit., p. 311. 4 The Zakro Settlings (J.H.S., xxii, 1902),
Their facing position has been inadequately p. S3 Me speaks of them (under No. 66) as
grappled with by the gem-engraver, and their ' two bow-shaped lines'.
bow
types.
In these cases the frame itself consists of only two members. Below the
groups we here see, as already noted, the ' triple gradation', with clear
indications of masonry.
Finally, in the bee-hive tomb at Dendra, near Mideia, Professor Dendra
Persson discovered a gold signet-ring depicting on its upper zone two „„„.
' frames' of the triple class provided with what look like small central
stands, while above these objecls are seen the fore-parts of two rams
with their bodies facing the spectator and their heads turned towards each
other (Fig. 134).l In the exergual space below are two couchant long-
horned animals. The snake-like object here is plaited together along its
middle section, a feature which, as noted below, may not be without its
significance.
Here we may recognize the fore-parts of sacred rams,2 with the ritual
' frames' placed in front of them as a sign of consecration, like the sacral
horns in analogous cases. A functional analogy is thus presented to the
Double Axes rising from the middle of both these cult objects.
Comparison with Cretan Bow Types. Nilotic Connexion of Earlier
Class.
In the careful review of the evidence concerning this 'frame' type, Q0m.
contained in his work on the Minoan-Mycenaean Religion, Professor Martin pamon
J & with
Nilsson has appositely brought these objects into relation with those that Cretan
appear above a horned head on certain seal types from Zakro3 (see Fig. 136).
He further compared the shape of these—as Dr. Hogarth had done before
him*—with the outline of a well-known class of ancient bows. Of this
equation there can be no reasonable doubt.
1 Reproduced from A. W. Persson, Kituga- forefeet are Inelegantly turned in, but other-
graveni Dendra, Gnld/ynd och. andrafyndfrdn wise, surely, they are ordinary rams. For
Utgr&oningarna, 1926 och 1927, p. 93, Fig. 92: horned sheep seen in seal types as sacred
see, too, p. 92. R. Tombs at Dendra, Pl.XVU, animals bound to baetylic columns, see
p. 55. It was first published by Prof. M. Nilsson, P. of M., iii, p. 317, Figs. 208, 209.
in his work on the MinoaitrMycenaeanReligion, s Martin P. Nilsson, The Minoan-My-
p. 3rT, Fig. 91, referred to below. cenaean Religion and its survival in Greek
- I can see no reason for calling them Religion (Lund, 1927), p. 313 seqq., and cf.
' monster^ ' and invoking the fantastic forms Fig. 93, seal-impression from Zakro.
of Zakro sealings, as Nilsson, op. tit., p. 311. 4 The Zakro Settlings (J.H.S., xxii, 1902),
Their facing position has been inadequately p. S3 Me speaks of them (under No. 66) as
grappled with by the gem-engraver, and their ' two bow-shaped lines'.
bow
types.