[ΚΕΝΟ]



Lentoid seal with two bulls

Σ-Κ1656
Stone (Carnelian)
Intact
Diameter: 2.7-2.9 cm. Thickness: 1.2 cm.
Knossos
Venizeleio Tombs, Tomb ΙΙΙ
Late Bronze Age. Final Palatial period, Late Minoan ΙΙΙA2 period.:
1400-1375 BC:
Gallery:
IX
Case:
99
Exhibition thematic unit:
Late Bronze Age - Final Palatial period (1450-1300 BC). The Knossos monopalatial system
Jewellery, seals and sealings from settlements and cemeteries, Neopalatial and Final Palatial period
Description
Carnelian lentoid sealstone. It depicts a recumbent bull facing left, the volumes of its body and musculature naturalistically rendered. Behind it is a second, abstract bull, of which only the back of the head and neck are visible. Vegetal motifs frame the scene. Seals of hard semiprecious or soft stones stand out among the objects accompanying the deceased, and probably signalled their identity or status. This seal from the cemetery at the Venizeleio site is an example of the naturalistic style and was probably an heirloom made in the previous period. It was found in a tomb containing many bronze weapons. The deposition of arms and armour in tombs (helmets, swords, daggers, spearheads, javelins and arrows) is believed to mark the graves of illustrious warriors of the new Mycenaean aristocracy in Crete, and of the local elites who adopted the new custom.
Bibliography:
Hood, M.S.F. and P. de Jong. “Late Minoan Warrior Graves from Ayios Ioannis and the New Hospital site at Knossos.” Annual of the British School at Athens 47 (1952): 244-277 (p. 273, fig. 16, pl. 54c. Platon, N. and I. Pini. Iraklion Arch?ologisches Museum, Teil 3. Die Siegel der Neupalastzeit, Corpus der Minoischen und Mykenischen Siegel II. Berlin, 1984, 73 (no. 62). Niemeier, W.-D. “Cretan glyptic arts in LM I-III: continuity and changes.” In Driessen, J. and A. Farnoux (eds), La Cr?te Myc?nienne. Actes de la Table Ronde internationale orgasnis?e par l’?cole fran?aise d’ Ath?nes, 26-28 Mars 1991 (BCH Suppl. 30), Athens, 1997, 297-311. Alberti, L. “The Late Minoan II-IIIA1 warrior graves at Knossos: the burial assemblages.” In G. Gadogan, E. Hatzaki, A. Vasilakis (eds), Knossos: Palace, City, State, London, 2004, 127-136.
Author:
G. F.


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