532 M1N0AN TYPE OF LION LEAPING ON QUARRY

by hunting dogs. The original object of their chase had been the naf
wild-goat, and, later, the fallow deer. Of the latter type, as transferr H
from dog to lion, a very beautiful example is supplied by a lentoid bead

seal (Fig. 481)," included also
among the select gems photo-
graphed on Suppl. PI. LV, e. The
stone is a chalcedony, clouded red
and the finesse of the execution
is such that it has had to be here
exceptionally enlarged to three
diameters to give an adequate
idea of the details. It is necessary
to suppose that in this case the
finer lines—failing an actual dia-
mond—were engraved by means
of a corundum point.

From the palmation, here
so characteristically given, the
quarry is clearly a fallow deer"
borne down by the full weight of
a springing lion who seizes it by
the hind-quarters. One of the
lion's legs rests on the hoof of the
deer's fore-foot, the other is free.
The agony of the victim is shown
by the open mouth and protruding

tongue.

A parallel illustration m

which the lion grips the neck of

a fallow deer, also very finely

■ho

Fig. 481. Chalcedony Lentoid : Lion bearing
down Fallow Deer : from Athens. (§-)

engraved, is seen in the intag
of the large gold signet-ring>™
' 491 below)-3 In*e

Tliisbe (Fig-

same way o

n the lentoid (Fig

Fig. 482. Lioness (above) and Lion (below)

springing on Horned Sheep : Yellow Agate,

Mycenae, {c. f)

a lion and a lioness grip the neck of a horned sheep.*

1 From a cast kindly supplied me by Dr. R. ' See Imhoof-BIumer und K<= e1'

Zahn, the Director of the Greek-Department in Pfla/izenb., p. 19S (PI- *7> 22''

Berlin Museum (see Furtwiingler, Beschreibung, 3 P

&c, p. 3, No. 15, and cf. A.G., ii, No. 3, PI. 3). ' F

482.)

540. belo"'p

rthehomedsheep,seep.5<;9sclq'