DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1118#0230
582 PROMINENCE OF LION MOTIVES
even see a similar subject to that of the fresco.1 The groom__here i
ordinary Minoan attire and very diminutive in comparison with the ho
behind which he stands—lays his hands on its collar. It is a collared bit I
of this breed which is seen scratching the underside of her chin on the I
jasper bead-seal, Fig. 505 above,2 as well as that which seizes the sta» on th
haematite lentoid, Fig. 471.8 This latter design, indeed, is of special value
since the small seated figure of a similar hound below—posed as if one
of a pair with their forefeet on an altar base*—is itself placed beside a
baetylic pillar, showing the sacred character of the animal. On the lentoid
(also, like the preceding, of haematite), Fig. 568, we see a clog of the same
kind standing on a double base with the impaled triangle—certainly
a religious symbol—above. In front is a flying bird. The sacral associa-
tions of the Minoan greyhound are clear. It was dogs of this breed who
accompanied die Goddess when, bow in hand—whether on foot or in her
chariot—she pursued the wild-goat or the deer.
Prominence of Lion Motives on Late Minoan Seals.
Promi- But it is the lion that comes into more special prominence during the
vim ° early part of the Late Minoan Age. This was a natural consequence of
motives t|ie extencled dominion on the Mainland side, and it is a noteworthy circum-
onL. M. .
seals. stance that pari passu with the popularity of the King of Beasts on signet
types, there seems to have been a certain falling off in the vogue—so
conspicuous in the great transitional M. M. Ill—L. M. I epoch—of the
scenes of the bull-ring and the feats of Minoan cowboys. To the en
of the Palace period, however, good examples of these are still to be foun ,
as is shown by the seal impressions, Fig. 597 is, k and u, p. 609, below.
In addition to the characteristic schemes described above in which ti
lion grips his quarry, he is now depicted in a great variety of aspects, soi
of them of a peaceful and picturesque character akin to that of the ca
pieces. On a lentoid from Mycenae5 we see a pair seated in a palm grove,
so far alert that they gaze in opposite directions. On a haematite beac-
1 Cf. too, my Tomb of/he Double Axes, 6-r., springing,
pp. 9, to, where the type is compared with " P. 524, above. Palatia'
that on a chalcedony 'flat cylinder' depicting ' On a common seal-type of the a ^y
a mastiff-like collared animal with a small deposits dogs of thicker build and wi ^
male figure behind. The rounded ears tails are confronted in this fasnio
of the animal, however, show some confusion Fig. 597 a, g below). tonit>
with the lion type. » Of sardonyx, from a cham
'- Seep. 545. On a grey stone lentoid in my Furtw., A.G., hi, 16.
collection a similar bitch is in the act of
even see a similar subject to that of the fresco.1 The groom__here i
ordinary Minoan attire and very diminutive in comparison with the ho
behind which he stands—lays his hands on its collar. It is a collared bit I
of this breed which is seen scratching the underside of her chin on the I
jasper bead-seal, Fig. 505 above,2 as well as that which seizes the sta» on th
haematite lentoid, Fig. 471.8 This latter design, indeed, is of special value
since the small seated figure of a similar hound below—posed as if one
of a pair with their forefeet on an altar base*—is itself placed beside a
baetylic pillar, showing the sacred character of the animal. On the lentoid
(also, like the preceding, of haematite), Fig. 568, we see a clog of the same
kind standing on a double base with the impaled triangle—certainly
a religious symbol—above. In front is a flying bird. The sacral associa-
tions of the Minoan greyhound are clear. It was dogs of this breed who
accompanied die Goddess when, bow in hand—whether on foot or in her
chariot—she pursued the wild-goat or the deer.
Prominence of Lion Motives on Late Minoan Seals.
Promi- But it is the lion that comes into more special prominence during the
vim ° early part of the Late Minoan Age. This was a natural consequence of
motives t|ie extencled dominion on the Mainland side, and it is a noteworthy circum-
onL. M. .
seals. stance that pari passu with the popularity of the King of Beasts on signet
types, there seems to have been a certain falling off in the vogue—so
conspicuous in the great transitional M. M. Ill—L. M. I epoch—of the
scenes of the bull-ring and the feats of Minoan cowboys. To the en
of the Palace period, however, good examples of these are still to be foun ,
as is shown by the seal impressions, Fig. 597 is, k and u, p. 609, below.
In addition to the characteristic schemes described above in which ti
lion grips his quarry, he is now depicted in a great variety of aspects, soi
of them of a peaceful and picturesque character akin to that of the ca
pieces. On a lentoid from Mycenae5 we see a pair seated in a palm grove,
so far alert that they gaze in opposite directions. On a haematite beac-
1 Cf. too, my Tomb of/he Double Axes, 6-r., springing,
pp. 9, to, where the type is compared with " P. 524, above. Palatia'
that on a chalcedony 'flat cylinder' depicting ' On a common seal-type of the a ^y
a mastiff-like collared animal with a small deposits dogs of thicker build and wi ^
male figure behind. The rounded ears tails are confronted in this fasnio
of the animal, however, show some confusion Fig. 597 a, g below). tonit>
with the lion type. » Of sardonyx, from a cham
'- Seep. 545. On a grey stone lentoid in my Furtw., A.G., hi, 16.
collection a similar bitch is in the act of