DOUBLE AXES ON SEAL-TYPES

which appears a sacral object like that held by the Goddess in a. In b and c
the diagonal bands are clearly visible.

Fig. 287 a-c. Double Axes on Gems (f). a, b, Knossos ; c, Argos.

Once more Ave have an indication of the way in which these stately vessels
of the 'Palace Style' fitted in with the interior adornment of the building.

By the South-West Palace angle were found the remains of another
jar, repeating what must certainly be re-
stored as the reduplicated blade of the
Double-Axe motive together with other
objects relating to the cult. Unfortunately
the remains of this vessel were too imperfect
to allow the restoration of the designs in a
connected form, but some of its elements
are shown in Fig. 280.

It has been already noted that the
two whorl-shells, d and e—one on its way
to the ' corkscrew' type—should here be
certainly regarded as the conch-shell used
in Minoan cult for summoning the divinity.
Such 'trumpet' shells are themselves of
frequent occurrence in Minoan shrines,1
and the religious function is well illustrated by th
from the Idaean Cave here repeated in Fig. 288.2
immediately below the Double Axe end.

1 As, for instance, in the little shrine near the the relics found with the 'Miniature Terra-
'Magazineof the Lily Jars',/'.o/yl«r.,i, pp. 580, cotta Shrine' in the 'Loom Weight Area'.
581, and Plan, p. 575, Fig. 419. Another was "- See above, p. 210, Fig. 162, and P. of M-,

found in the early Sacellum at Phaestos. Little i, pp. 221, 222.
triton shells of painted clay occurred amongst

Fig. 288. Cult Scene with Votary
summoning Divinity by Conch-shell.
Crystal Lentoid : Idaean Cave.

design on a crystal
The conch-shell d is