DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1021#0279
SOME PHASES OF MYCENAEAN ART
227
work of the goldsmith. The sculptor's lavish use of the
spiral attests the influence of the earlier developed metal-
work upon art in general, but in other respects the arts
of the sculptor and the goldsmith advance hand in hand
throughout the period. This may be shown by a compari-
son of objects in these two materials.
The Vaphio cups are the masterpieces of the Mycenaean
goldsmith, — indeed, of all Mycenaean art.1 The outer
wall is a plate of pure gold, bearing the design in Tlie Vaphio
repousse, and riveted end to end at the handle; Cups
while a second gold plate gives a smooth lining and is
turned over to form a rim. The cups are thus quite seam-
Figs. 113, 114. The Vaphio Cups (height, e. 3£ in-; weight, 9 oz. each)
less, except at the joining, and this is practically covered by
the handle. The first eup has a plain band around the base
and brim to frame the design ; on the second the design
covers the entire surface. But it is the artist's rather than
the artisan's work that chiefly concerns us here. Our re-
productions sufficiently attest the boldness of his concep-
tion and the cunning of his hand ; indeed, he has expressed
himself so well that he needs no interpreter.
The first scene is a wild-bull hunt among palms; its
1 " For originality of design and delicacy of execution (they) are unrivaled,
except perhaps by the finest goldsmith's work of the Italian Renaissance."
— Schuchhardt.
227
work of the goldsmith. The sculptor's lavish use of the
spiral attests the influence of the earlier developed metal-
work upon art in general, but in other respects the arts
of the sculptor and the goldsmith advance hand in hand
throughout the period. This may be shown by a compari-
son of objects in these two materials.
The Vaphio cups are the masterpieces of the Mycenaean
goldsmith, — indeed, of all Mycenaean art.1 The outer
wall is a plate of pure gold, bearing the design in Tlie Vaphio
repousse, and riveted end to end at the handle; Cups
while a second gold plate gives a smooth lining and is
turned over to form a rim. The cups are thus quite seam-
Figs. 113, 114. The Vaphio Cups (height, e. 3£ in-; weight, 9 oz. each)
less, except at the joining, and this is practically covered by
the handle. The first eup has a plain band around the base
and brim to frame the design ; on the second the design
covers the entire surface. But it is the artist's rather than
the artisan's work that chiefly concerns us here. Our re-
productions sufficiently attest the boldness of his concep-
tion and the cunning of his hand ; indeed, he has expressed
himself so well that he needs no interpreter.
The first scene is a wild-bull hunt among palms; its
1 " For originality of design and delicacy of execution (they) are unrivaled,
except perhaps by the finest goldsmith's work of the Italian Renaissance."
— Schuchhardt.