Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/96

IVORY AND GOLD STATUETTE OF A CRETAN LADY. (BOSTON MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS) The proud little figure stands with shoulders thrown far back and arms extended, each hand grasping a golden serpent, which coils about her arms to the elbow. She wears a high tiara perched daintily on her elaborately curled hair. Her dress consists of a flounced skirt and a tight bodice taper- ing to her slender waist. The whole forms a costume surprisingly modern. The figure is carved in ivory, while the flounces are edged with -bands of gold and the belt about the waist is of the same metal. She represents either the great Cretan mother goddess or possibly only a graceful snake- charmer of the court. In any case the sculptor has given her the appearance of one of the noble ladies of his time. Even the Greek sculptor never surpassed the vitality and the winsome charm which passed from the fingers of the ancient Cretan artist into this tiny figure