SENSATIONAL ACROBATIC FEATS

219

the appearance of standing in front of the other charging animal. She holds
out both hands, however, in the same manner as the figure behind the bull
in the fresco (Fig. 144).

Fig. 151. Acrobatic Figure landing on Bull's Hind Quarters. Clay Sealings,

Zakro.

Fig. 152. Acrobat landing with His Fig. 153. Figure turning Back-somersault over
Hands on Bull's Back. Clay Sealing, Bull's Back. Clay Sealing, ' Corridor of the
Zakro. Bays ', Knossos.

The acrobat turning either a back-somersault or a somersault with his Ana-
face towards the animal's tail occurs on a series of intaglios and sealings. b°r|™e
At times the performer is about to gain renewed purchase off the bull's hind g™uP
quarters (Fig. 151, a).1 In another case he lands hands forward (Fig. 152). Crete.
In Fig. 153 he is starting on a further revolution. A very fine example of
this class is to be seen in the design of a gold signet-ring (Fig. 154), recently
discovered in a chamber tomb near Arkhanes, a country town South of
the site of Knossos.2 This, indeed, has a double interest not only as

1 Figs. 151, a, b, 152, 153 are reproduced was found by a woman in what she called
from JP. of M., i, p. 686, Fig. 504, a-d. a 'spelios'—a word generally applied by

2 See my Ring of Nestor, 6-v., p. 6 (Fig. 5). Cretan peasants to chamber tombs in the
According to information received the ring rock (A. E. Collection).