A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume 1 (of 2)

by A. H. Smith

[⁴²] See Nos. [211], [643], [652], [667], [680], [693], [699], [726], [736].

PART I.

ARCHAIC PERIOD.

SCULPTURES FROM MYCENAE.

The sculptures contained in the first section of this catalogue are derived from the site of Mycenae, the first four being fragments of important works of architecture. There is great uncertainty as to the date and origin of the Mycenaean monuments. A theory frequently advanced supposes that they are remains of an old civilization whose centre was Argolis, and which was swept away by Dorian invaders. If this view is accepted, Nos. 1-6 are separated by a long interval of years, and by a time of great political change, from the remaining sculptures in this volume. From No. 7 onwards we have works produced during the historical period; but the remains of Mycenae acquire interest from the consideration that they may be authentic memorials of a dynasty only dimly remembered in the Homeric Poems.

1-4.Fragments of architecture from the building, commonly known as the 'Treasury of Atreus' at Mycenae. This building is a dome-covered tomb (tholos) of beehive shape, approached by a long passage (dromos). It is cut out from the side of a hill, and built of heavy masonry, covered with earth, so as to form a tumulus. It was partially excavated by Lord Elgin, and more completely in 1879 by the Greek Archæological Society. The fragments Nos. 1-4 are parts of an elaborately decorated doorway to the tomb. They have been incorporated in a somewhat fanciful restoration which was made by Donaldson, and which has been much modified by later investigators.

For plans and views, see Stuart, 2nd ed., IV. pls. 1-5 (with Donaldson's restoration). Dodwell, Pelasgic Remains, pls. 9, 10. Athenische Mittheilungen, IV., p. 177, pls. 11-13 (Thiersch); Mitchell, p. 143. Donaldson's restoration is based on an earlier attempt by Lord Elgin's artists, which is now among the Elgin drawings in the British Museum.

1.Fragment from the 'Treasury of Atreus' at Mycenae. The decoration consists of three bands of the wave pattern, separated by mouldings. Two of these bands are in low relief; the third is in high relief, with a hole bored in the centre of each spiral for the insertion of glass or metal ornaments. Among the tools employed by the artist, the chisel, saw, and the tubular drill, were plainly included. From the fact that the end of the fragment is cut at an acute angle, it is inferred that this fragment was placed above the doorway of the building, in contact with a relief of triangular form. It is also possible that it may have formed part of a triangular slab above the door. A piece of red marble, similarly decorated, which is now at Athens, exactly fits the apex of the triangular opening (Athenische Mittheilungen, iv., pl. 13, fig. 1, a.).—Elgin Coll.