Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : Clay objects : Kados with plastic bull [Π29506]

Kados with plastic bull

Π29506

Clay

Mended from 105 sherds and restored in places.

Height: 52 cm.

Anemospilia

Late Bronze Age. Neopalatial period, Middle Minoan ΙΙΙA period.:

1700 - 1650 BC:

Gallery:

VII

Case:

Exhibition thematic unit:

Late Bronze Age - Neopalatial period (1700-1450 BC). Minoan religion - Domestic and open-air cult

Domestic shrines

Description

Tall, wide-mouthed bucket-shaped vessel tapering towards the base, with a wide folded rim and three small cylindrical handles on the rim. The whole vessel is decorated. The interior was painted black, while the decorative motifs were picked out in white, buff and red paint. The main decorative zone covers the shoulder and belly of the vessel, with a front and rear side. The main decorative theme on the rear side consists of fine spirals inside circles with small crocuses in their centre. The main theme on the front is a bull in low relief, among rich painted vegetation. Various details are rendered with fine incisions. The plants have been identified as palm trees, crocuses and ivy or dittany. The bull is painted buff with red spots. It is believed that the vessel was used to collect the bull’s blood during bull sacrifices, like the one depicted on the later Agia Triada Sarcophagus (Λ396).

Bibliography:

Sakellarakis, Y. and Ε. Sakellaraki. "Ανασκαφή Αρχανών." Πρακτικά της εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας (1979): 331-392, pl. 183α. Sakellarakis, Y. and Ε. Sapouna-Sakellaraki. Αρχάνες. Μια νέα ματιά στη Μινωική Κρήτη. Vol. 2. Athens, 1997, 548-562, fig. 552-561.

Author:

E. S.

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