Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 2.djvu/347

294 Primitive Greece : Mycenian Art. peculiar. The head-dress is a species of turban or scarf folded several times round the head, and adorned in front by a diadem, from which rises an ornament resembling a cluster of three flowers.^ The ends of the turban hang down behind ; about the neck a double row of beads. Whether the bust was covered or not it is difficult to say, on account of the smallness of the image ; other stones preserve traces of the drapery (Fig. 419, 14). Here the fine texture of the fabric shows the dress, which fits tightly over the bosom, and is girt round the hips, but below the waist it falls away from the body, and ends in four or more flounces, like those we have so often met. In the field above, a sun and crescent moon ; the wavy lines below them are probably intended for the sea. Below these again is a double axe similar to that seen in the gold plate from the fourth grave (Fig. 392). Above, on the left, is an idol ; it grasps a lance in its left hand, and is entirely covered with a huge circular shield, the feet alone appearing below it (Fig. 414, and PI. XVIII. 3). On this side, along the edge, the space is filled up with heads of animals, shown full face. They bring to the mind the bucrania of classic art. This picture has been differently ex- plained as often as it has been described. The only point upon which nearly all are agreed is that it represents a worship- scene, and that the seated figure in front is a goddess, who is receiving the homage of the other personages. But what goddess ? Opinions, or rather conjectures, are not at one. Some identify the goddess with Rhea, to whom fruits and flowers are brought by her nymphs. The double axe is the sign of Zeus, the son of Rhea, whilst the armed man typifies her servants, the Curetes or Corybantes ; and the heads of animals are meant for lions sacred to Rhea.- For others, the principal figure is Aphrodite, surrounded by her priestesses ; like the Canachian Aphrodite of Sicyone, she holds a bunch of poppies in her hand."' The heap of stones whereon is perched the small figure with flowers in both hands, is meant for an altar. In the thought of the artist the figure was not standing upon the altar, but behind it, in the second plane.* Others, again, are more especially attracted by 1 This often went by the name of vXeKrrj dtaditrfii) (Helbio, Das homerisclu Epos), 2 MiLCHOFER, Die Anfcinge der Kunst, ^ Pausanias. 4 FuRTWANGLER, Mykcfiische Vasen,