Handleless conical cup
Π2202
Clay
Intact
Height: 5 cm. Rim diameter: 7.4 cm.
Zakros
Hogarth Excavation Pit
Late Bronze Age. Neopalatial period, Late Minoan ΙA period.:
1600-1500 BC:
Gallery:
IVCase:
42Exhibition thematic unit:
Late Bronze Age - Neopalatial period (1700-1450 BC). The New Palaces. The zenith of Minoan civilisationArchanes Palatial Centre- Palace of Zakros
Description
Conical cups are the most numerous category of drinking vessel in Minoan Crete during the period of the New Palaces. Simple in concept and execution, these cups were used in a variety of ways on different occasions, from serving everyday needs to offering goods in secular or religious ceremonies. This particular cup stands out for its decoration of a relief disc and crescent, a combination inevitably recalling representations of the sun and moon in their simplest form. Similar depictions in Minoan art have sometimes been identified as astral symbol by various scholars, who place particular weight on the symbolism of these themes in the context of the religious beliefs and ritual practices of the inhabitants of prehistoric Crete. As far as imagery is concerned, the most characteristic depiction of the combination of heavenly bodies is found on a gold signet ring from Mycenae, while such symbols are also often combined with other symbols of the Minoan religious narrative such as horns of consecrationBibliography:
Dawkins, R.M. "Pottery from Zakros". Journal of Hellenic Studies 23 (1903): 254. Platon, L. "On the dating and character of the 'Zakros Pits deposit'." In O. Kryzsykowska (eds), CRETAN OFFERINGS: Studies in honour of Peter Warren. British School at Athens Studies Vol. 18, London, 2010, 243-257 (252-253, fig. 24.14).Author:
I. N.Photographs' metadata