Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : Clay objects : Clay sphinx from applied decoration of vessel with Egyptian influences [Π19818]

Clay sphinx from applied decoration of vessel with Egyptian influences

Π19818

Clay

Mended from fragments, restored on part of the body

Height: 6.9 cm. Length: 9 cm. Thickness: 0.6 cm.

Malia

Quartier Μu, Building D

Middle Bronze Age. Protopalatial period, Middle Minoan IIB period.:

1750 - 1700 BC:

Gallery:

Case:

Exhibition thematic unit:

Middle Bronze Age - Late Prepalatial-Protopalatial period (2200-1700 BC). From small communities to towns

Life in the settlements

Description

Clay plaque, part of the applied decoration of a vase. It preserves traces of white paint. The mould-made plaque is in the shape of a sphinx, a fantastical creature with the head of a man and the body of a lion. The body and beard are similar to those of the Egyptian sphinxes associated with the iconography of the god Osiris. Apart from the beard, however, the head is characteristically Minoan, particularly the locks of hair. The relief plaque was found with a group of cups with similar applied decoration and themes inspired by Egyptian iconography. The production of the ceramic assemblage as a whole attests to the fruitful dialogue between Minoan and Egyptian art.

Bibliography:

Detournay, Β., J.-C. Poursat and F. Vandenabeele (eds), Le Quartier Mu II. ?tudes Cr?toises 26, Paris, 1980, 116-118, fig. 164 165. Karetsou, A. M. Andreadaki-Vlazaki and N. Papadakis (eds), Κρήτη - Αίγυπτος. Πολιτισμικοί Δεσμοί Τριών Χιλιετιών. Κατάλογος Έκθεσης στο Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Ηρακλείου, 21 Νοεμβρίου 1999 - 21 Σεπτεμβρίου 2000. Heraklion, 2000, 57, no. 33. Poursat, J.-C. "Le Sphinx Minoen: un Nouveau Document." In Antichit? Cretesi. Studi in Onore di Doro Levi. Vol. I. Catania, 1973, 111-114.

Author:

E. S.

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