DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1117#0240
Existence
of larger
stone
figures.
Excep-
tional
freedom
of treat-
ment.
STONE STATUETTE OF SNAKE GODDESS
be recognized as a work of the same hand (see Suppl.
PI. XLVIIa, b, and Fig. 149). The image is 40 centi-
metres, or about 15! inches, in height as compared with
36 cm. in the case of the other new example and 22-7 cm.
in that of Cambridge Goddess. This is therefore the
largest stone figure of Minoan date yet brought to light.
Like the companion figure in the same material it is
carved out of a single block and not in two pieces,
socketed into one another about the middle.as is thecase
with the Fitzwilliam statuette, the chryselephantine God-
dessof the Boston Museum, and some early clay figurines.
That figures in marble-like stone, whether in a
single piece or compacted together, were actually
executed to twice the size of that of the Snake God-
dess before us is shown by the fragment of a hand
already illustrated,1 which must have belonged to a small
statue about 90 centimetres (or 2 feet 8 inches) high,
'but the present example is the largest of the small
group of stone images that has been preserved to us.
On the other hand, as regards wooden figures, we
have the evidence of a colossal statue some 2'8o metres
or 9 feet in height.2
- The new snake-holding figure is here reproduced
in Figs. 149,150 and Suppl. PI. XLVIIa, b. Although,
owing to the softness of parts of the material, the surface
is somewhat cracked in places and a few breaks are
visible, it is practically complete except for a chip on the
top of the tiara and a small section of the snake held
by the Goddess below her left hand.
A remarkable feature in this statuette, which at
once -strikes the eye, is the comparative freedom of
action as compared with other small cult figures, whether
in stone, faience, bronze, or clay. Here we see a
single reptile, the tail of which starts below the left
ear, passes over the front of the head, and is grasped
first in the middle of the body and then by its neck.
There is nothing here of the stiff and symmetrical
attitude of other figures.
The head of the Goddess is very slightly inclined
1 F. of M., iii, p. 518. 3 3id., p. 522 seqq.
far-
Fic.149. Profile Vim
of Limestone Statoej.
of Snake Goddess {£ it
of larger
stone
figures.
Excep-
tional
freedom
of treat-
ment.
STONE STATUETTE OF SNAKE GODDESS
be recognized as a work of the same hand (see Suppl.
PI. XLVIIa, b, and Fig. 149). The image is 40 centi-
metres, or about 15! inches, in height as compared with
36 cm. in the case of the other new example and 22-7 cm.
in that of Cambridge Goddess. This is therefore the
largest stone figure of Minoan date yet brought to light.
Like the companion figure in the same material it is
carved out of a single block and not in two pieces,
socketed into one another about the middle.as is thecase
with the Fitzwilliam statuette, the chryselephantine God-
dessof the Boston Museum, and some early clay figurines.
That figures in marble-like stone, whether in a
single piece or compacted together, were actually
executed to twice the size of that of the Snake God-
dess before us is shown by the fragment of a hand
already illustrated,1 which must have belonged to a small
statue about 90 centimetres (or 2 feet 8 inches) high,
'but the present example is the largest of the small
group of stone images that has been preserved to us.
On the other hand, as regards wooden figures, we
have the evidence of a colossal statue some 2'8o metres
or 9 feet in height.2
- The new snake-holding figure is here reproduced
in Figs. 149,150 and Suppl. PI. XLVIIa, b. Although,
owing to the softness of parts of the material, the surface
is somewhat cracked in places and a few breaks are
visible, it is practically complete except for a chip on the
top of the tiara and a small section of the snake held
by the Goddess below her left hand.
A remarkable feature in this statuette, which at
once -strikes the eye, is the comparative freedom of
action as compared with other small cult figures, whether
in stone, faience, bronze, or clay. Here we see a
single reptile, the tail of which starts below the left
ear, passes over the front of the head, and is grasped
first in the middle of the body and then by its neck.
There is nothing here of the stiff and symmetrical
attitude of other figures.
The head of the Goddess is very slightly inclined
1 F. of M., iii, p. 518. 3 3id., p. 522 seqq.
far-
Fic.149. Profile Vim
of Limestone Statoej.
of Snake Goddess {£ it