496 EARLY CYLINDERS AND LATER MINOAN TYPES

agrimi, still reflects the bold execution of the best period of the M'

gem-engraver's Art. ' Elongated' bead-seals of gold and of superi - ' "

form an important group of the Thisbe series; tlieir backs, however -u-P i •

' i ^ plain,

Fig. 434. Cornelian Cylinder of ' Talis*
manic ' Type : E. Crete.

Fig. 435. Cornelian Cylinder with
Dolphins repeated: E. Crete.

Cylinder
type.

Early
Aegean
adapta-
tions of
Oriental
prototype:
its distant
character.

The Cylinder Type: Early Reflection and Later Imitation in Minoan

Crete.

The widespread family of early Oriental cylinders—extending to the
Nile Valley—could not be without its effect on primitive usage throughout
the East Mediterranean basin. In Cyprus of the Copper Age we already
see, so far as the tubular form was concerned, more or less exact reproduc-
tions, coupled with barbaric copies of the figured representations. A similar
phenomenon occurs at Hissarlik, where, however, the rude floral ana
branch-like designs1 indicate derivation from types very characteristic
of the Anatolian midlands. In the Cyclades, more remotely situated, we
see solid cylinders, with rude geometrical decoration, attached by means
a holed projection at top. So, too, in Earl)' Minoan Crete, seals appeal o
soft stone, ivory, and terra-cotta with side perforations. In that c?

ead of beii

is qu

At the

engraved figures are on the upper and lower faces instead of being r
the circumference; and the considerable repertory of designs
independent of the Oriental cylinder class.2

At most we have a suggestion clue to indirect acquaintance.

1 Ilion(h. Gotze),p. 447,and cf. Schliemann,
p. 416, Figs. 502, 503 (and cf. p. 415, Fig. 500).
The floral design recalls D. G. Hogarth,
Hittik Seals, &c, no. 32 (PL II).

■ Cf. especially Xanthudides, Vaulted Tombs
of Mesara (Transl. Droop), Pis. VIII, XIII,
XIV; Seager, Mochlhs, p. 70, Tomb XVIII;

translucent steatite. A specimen 0^ ^
cotta, with primitive engravings aD
below from the Hagios Onuphnoii*■-

was described by me m
(Quaritch, 1895), pp. i?3

Cretan Pi&$-
and i°7i

where its dissimilarity from me S
was pointed out.

Fig- B

ntal da