[ΚΕΝΟ]



Ornamental ram-bearer figurine

Χ-Α671
Metal (Gold)
Compressed, with gaps and cracks in many places. Missing parts of the back, the lower legs and the inlaid eyes
Height: 4.7 cm.
Knossos
Tekke
Geometric period:
750-725 BC:
Gallery:
XIX
Case:
186
Exhibition thematic unit:
Geometric - Archaic - Classical period (10th-4th c. BC). The Cemeteries
Jewellery
Description
Repoussé cut-out of a ram-bearer, made in two pieces, the front and the back, which were then attached as a single hollow ornament, together with a second similar piece (Χ-Α 672), to a larger artefact of unknown shape. The posture of the body and the wide stride indicate that the figure is moving left. The details are particularly carefully rendered, for example the naturalistic depiction of the face, the long locks of hair, the decoration of the short chiton tunic, and the features of the animal. The eyes, originally inlaid, would have given the figure a livelier aspect. Arranged with one (Χ-Α 672) or more miniature artworks in a row, the cut-out may have depicted part of a procession of sacrificial animals.
Bibliography:
J. Boardman, "The Khaniale Tekke Tombs", The Annual of the British School at Athens 62 (1967), 57-75, esp. 58-59, 61, 69, no. 47, pl. 11. J. Boardman, "The Knossos Tekke jewellery hoards", in R. Gigli (ed.), ΜΕΓΑΛΑΙ ΝΗΣΟΙ. Studi dedicati a G. Rizza per il suo ottantesimo compleanno, Catania 1998, vol. Ι, 163-166. Α. Lebessi, Το ιερό του Ερμή και της Αφροδίτης στη Σύμη Βιάννου. ΙΙΙ. Τα χάλκινα ανθρωπόμορφα ειδώλια, Athens 2002, 87, figs 58, 89-90, 94, 139 (identifiying him as a ram-bearer). A. Kotsonas, "Health and status in Iron Age Knossos", Oxford Journal of Archaeology 25(2) 2006, 149-172.
Author:
K. S.


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