[ΚΕΝΟ]



Relief plaque of the "Goddess with upraised arms"

Π15120
Clay
Mended and restored.
Height: 23 cm. Width: 18 cm.
Kannia
Villa
Late Bronze Age. Postpalatial period, Late Minoan ΙΙΙI period.:
1300 - 1200 BC:
Gallery:
XI
Case:
116
Exhibition thematic unit:
Late Bronze Age - Postpalatial period (1300-1100 BC). Settlements. Sanctuaries. Tombs
Communal shrines
Description
Two pieces of a rectangular clay plaque with a relief female figure in the pose of the "goddess with upraised arms". She is wearing the flounced skirt familiar from religious scenes and ceremonial objects of the Neopalatial period. The plaque was found in Room 1 of the communal shrine at Kannia, together with at least four figurines of the "goddess with upraised arms" and cult vessels. Clay plaques with relief, appliqu? or painted decoration have been found in many of the communal shrines of the Late Minoan III period. Several preserve holes by which they were suspended on the walls or from the roof of the shrine, as votive offerings to the goddess. Rectangular clay plaque with a relief scene found in Room V of the communal shrine at Kannia. It depicts two opposed sphinxes, hybrid creatures with feline bodies, wings and human heads. The heads are stylised, with curved noses, and crowned with conical caps. The sphinxes are standing on their hind legs, with their front paws on an altar-like object from which a palm tree appears to spring. Clay plaques with relief, appliqu? or painted decoration have been found in many of the communal shrines of the Late Minoan III period. Several preserve holes by which they were suspended on the walls or from the roof of the shrine, as votive offerings to the goddess.
Bibliography:
Alexiou, S. "Μητρόπολις Γόρτυνος." Το Έργον της εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας (1957): 92-94. Gesell, G. C. "The Function of the Plaque in the Shrine of the Goddess witn Up-Raised Hands." In R. Laffineur and R. H?gg (eds), Potnia. Deities and Religion in the Aegean Bronze Age. Aegaeum 22. Li?ge and Austin, 2001, 263-268. Levi, D. "La Villa Rurale Minoica di Gortina." Bolletino d' Arte 44 (1959): 237-265, fig. 16a.
Author:
E. S.


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