Mitchell, Lucy M.: A history of ancient sculpture (New York, 1883)

RELIEFS FROM LAKEDALUOXIA.

205

somewhat atoned for by the nicety with which the general forms are adjusted,
the painstaking in the details, and the skill shown in the handling of the
marble. But how far yet from agreeable portraiture is this strange face, with
its retreating forehead and projecting chin !

i

A remarkable series of monuments, discovered within a few years in the
neighborhood of Sparta, ancient Lakedaimonia, show us a strongly local art, as
having flourished in the confined valley of the Eurotas. Together with many
other relics, recently unearthed in and about Sparta, they are for the most part
collected in a museum in that ancient city. This series, as well as an Arcadian
relief now in Athens, are especially interesting as throwing light
upon hitherto unknown ancient customs with regard to the dead ;
and the subjects, being frequently repeated, allow us to follow
art in its development towards truth to nature and beauty of
form, while clinging to the same old type. These sculptures,
no less than thirteen in number, are variations on one theme, a
male and a female throned figure, and were tombstone reliefs,
as appears from the position in which several of them were
found. 337

The earliest, which, judging from its style, dates from 600 to
550 B.C., was found at Chrysapha, three hours east of Sparta, in
a tumulus of earth and stone, and is now owned by M. Saburoff,
Russian ambassador at Berlin (Fig. 100). It is in the bluish-gray
stone of the place, and in perfect preservation. The slab on
which it is cut is rectangular below ; but its sides are not straight
by the rule, and follow the outline of the group. Here, on a
high throne, its back ending in a palm-leaf, and its feet re-
sembling lions' claws, two large figures are seated side by side.
The nearer looks out with full front face towards the beholder ;
his neck has the width of the face; and over his shoulders and
chest drop four rigid locks, like rows of beads. One hand is advanced, holding
a large vase or cautharos of beautiful shape : the other is empty, and extended
with open palm. The body, which appears like one flat surface, is covered by a
garment, indicated only by a few exactly parallel folds running across the form,
and finished by a hem. The ankle-bones are rendered with a nearer approach
to nature than any thing else in this curious figure. A wedge-shaped beard is
sparingly marked on the large chin. The corners of the mouth are drawn up,
giving that peculiar expression so frequently met with in archaic Greek works ;
and the ears, placed high on the head, stand out from it. Occupying the
same throne sits an equally erect female figure, with face in profile. A broad
braid crosses her forehead, and a curl as stiff as those of her companion drops
below the ear. Her mouth is small and straight, chin large and full, bosom

Fig. 99. 7lie so-
catted Apollo
from Jenea.
Munich.