USE OF CAMP-STOOLS

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V

In three cases (a, c, and d) we have direct evidence that the figures were use of
seated on folding-chairs or camp-stools, and we may infer that others, like ft*J}£"

the female votary with the 'Sacral Knot',
were seated in a similar manner, though
an exception to this, described below, is
illustrated by the fragment 1-1. From the
use of this kind of seat—as already
noted—the general name of ' Camp-stool
Frescoes' has been given to this series.

The use of such folding-seats in a
religious connexion recalls the remarkable
seal-impression depicting the strange calf-
like monster, referred to above, as the
'Young Minotaur' and here reproduced
(Fig. 321), who is seated on a similar
folding-seat. On a clay sealing from the
Little Palace (Fig. 322) a richly attired
female figure, in whom we may again
recognize the Minoan Goddess, seated on
a stool of the same form, bends forward
and reaches out her hand to take what
seems to be a food-offering from a bowl held out to her by a male ministrant.
So, too, on the great Tiryns ring described below, the Goddess is seated

on a folding-stool, though in that case a
curved back has been fitted to it.

A curiously realistic touch is added Gloves.
to the folding-seat of c. What can only
be interpreted as a glove—complete with
thumb and four fingers—is caught in the
intersection of the legs of the seat. At
the same time, the ends of three fingers
and the thumb of a similar glove are
seen on the side of the body below the
waist on the upper margin of the lower
fragment of the design, the upper part
of which had been evidently tucked into the girdle, as restored in the
drawing.

The group of two seated youths face to face, with the knees almost
touching, formed by is and c (see, too, Fig. 323), preserve the best record
iv** D d

Fig. 321. The Young Minotaur
on Clay Seal-Impression. (J)

Fig. 322. Food Offering held out
by Male Ministrant to Goddess on
Folding-Seat. Clay Seal-Impression
from Little Palace, (f)