M. M. Ill: SEAL TYPES AND GREATER ART 687

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M. M. Ill b Deposit of the Entrance to the Corridor of the Bays at Knossos,
but which in style as well as subject so closely resembles the foregoing. With
it was found another fragmentary seal-impression of the same class showin
a fallen 1 Cow-boy' beneath the bull.1 In both these cases the bulls display
the ' flying gallop ' characteristic of Minoan Art.2

The threefold stepping up of the base in these designs has a particular
significance in this connexion. It answers in fact to a characteristic feature
of the cornices and pilasters, which, in view of some surviving pieces of
evidence we may assume to have regularly supported the friezes of painted
stucco reliefs on the walls of the Knossian Palace. The bull-grappling scenes

on the sealings shown in Fig-. 504 have
indeed a special relevance since the
existing; data show3 that such sub-
jects, anticipating the scenes on the
Vapheio Cup, were already executed
in plastic form during the earlier phase
of M. M. III.

On the bezel of a gold plated ring
from the Lower Town of Mycenae,
Fig. 505, we meet with a related
motive exhibiting two couchant oxen,
and the double graduated base that
here appears supplies an additional feature of interest in the present con-
nexion. We see here the indication of vertical painted bands, reminiscent
of variegated stonework such as those with which the architectonic base of
the Cow and Calf Panel, Fig. 367 above, is decorated, and which reappear
on the supports of the Griffin Relief. The alternating order, moreover, in
which these are distributed corresponds with a recurring convention of the
borders of fresco panels such as some of those of the Taureador Series.

A bracket or console stepping back below in three different planes has
been illustrated above in connexion with the faience plaques from the
E. Repository presenting animal reliefs.4 More detailed evidence, however,
came out in association with the painted stucco reliefs of griffins, ex hypothesi
derived from the great East Hall of the Palace of L. M. I construction, and
it looks as if in this case, besides pilasters, there were continuous graduated

Triple
Gradation
taken
from sup-
ports of
friezes.

Fig. 505. Ring Bezel showing Cattle
on Architectonic Rase (Mycenae), (f)

Ring type
with

architec-
tonic
base.

Triple
graduated
supports
of relief.

text as a ' Goat in Course '

the arm of the acro-
batic figure being interpreted as a goat's horn.

1 Compare the fallen figure on the ring bezel
Fig. 310, a, p. 432. In that case the outline

of a double base is seen below.

2 See below p. 713 seqq.

3 See above, p. 375.

4 See above, p. 512, Fig. 368.