Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 2.djvu/108

Description and Restoration of Tomb I. 79 the middle division of the lofty wall, and amidst this super- abundance of geometric figures the living form was represented by lions or bulls ; if not full size, at least in the shape of masks about the lintel. From the juxtaposition of the several forms and the variety of incrustations was given forth a noble and severe harmony, which was in perfect unison with the destination of the building. Although the decoration of the circular chamber could not challenge the more varied ornamentation of the facade, in its own way it was quite as sumptuous. Here metal reigned supreme. When the sun's rays stole in through the open door, or when the chamber was artificially lighted, a soft diffused light was reflected back by the bronze lining, and helped the eye to measure the height and breadth of the spacious nave. Even now, although the vaulted roof has been stripped of its bronze habiliment, and holed at the top, the remembrance of this dome dwells with the traveller who has once seen it ; he cannot forget the finish of the construction, the simplicity of the means employed to obtain a desired result, or the strange curve which from the ground ascends in a continuous and unbroken line to the crown of the edifice. To picture to oneself what an addition all this brass was to the splendid decoration presented by the dome, a long and complicated inquiry, such as we have instituted for the restoration of the frontispiece, is not required ; a little effort of the imagination will suffice. Another point which contributes to stimulate our curiosity, is that when brought face to face with this building we at once feel how widely different is the style seen here from all and any with which we have been previously ac- quainted. Of course certain elements will live on, and though in a modified form, will be easily recognizable ; but others are fated to disappear for all time. If the arrangement of the temple in some respect recalls that of the Tirynthian palace, the cupola shape, for which the Mycenian builder had so marked a predilec- tion, is absent from subsequent structures ; whilst the whole of the decorative scheme will be discarded. The Hellenic architect will retain certain forms, the fluted column of our tombs for example, and the door-frame of the Erechtheion will be picked out with rosettes, like those of the Mycenian graves. But what we shall not find again at Athens or elsewhere, will be the habit of concealing meanness of materials by facings, to which