No. 338.
A Human Thigh-bone,
with a gold ornament of the
greaves still attached to it.
Sepulchre IV. Size 1:4, about.
SPLENDID GOLDEN CROWN.
No. 338 represents the thigh-bone of one of the bodies of this sepulchre, around which was still attached the golden band, which served both for fastening and ornamenting the greave (κνημίς). The band consists of two parts, the lower horizontal and the upper vertical; the former being attached by a fine gold wire, the latter by means of the ring which we see at its extremity and which must have been fastened to a button fixed to the short trousers, of which we have seen a specimen on the ring (No. 335). We have already seen[311] that the greaves were attached above the knee, and the existence of this greave-holder on the thigh-bone can leave no doubt that such was the general custom. The lower band is decorated all round with an imitation of leaves, and in front with two rosettes. On the upper band we see soldered a smaller and thicker one, with the unmistakeable intention to give it more substance.
GOLD SOLDERED WITH BORAX.
While speaking of soldering, I may mention that Professor Landerer informs me that the Mycenean goldsmiths soldered gold with the help of borax (borate of soda), which is still used at the present day for the same purpose. He adds that he was lucky enough to discover this salt on the border of an ancient false medal from Ægina; that it was called in antiquity χρυσόκολλα ("gold cement"), and that it was imported from Persia and India under the name of Baurac-Pounxa-Tinkal. In the Middle Ages, it was imported by the Venetians from Persia to Venice, where it was purified and exported under the denomination of Borax Venetus.
No. 339. A Golden Goblet with two handles (δεπας αμφικυπελλον). Sepulchre IV. Size 5:8 about.