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Drawings : Drawings of Seals and sealings

Drawings

<p style='text-align: justify;'>This collection of drawings illustrates highlights of the sealstones and sealings excavated by the British at Mycenae in the seasons after 1920-1923. The exception is the line drawings of a clay sealing of 3 quadrupeds, discovered in 1920 by A.J.B. Wace in the Rhyton well at the top of the Ramp within the citadel. (<a href='' onclick='store.loadPage(17);return false;'>MCNE-2-3-04-17</a>). This image was drawn nearly two decades after its discovery to provide the gold-embossed design on the front cover of Wace’s book <i>Mycenae: An Archaeological History and Guide</i> (1949).</p>

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Drawings of Seals and sealings (MCNE-2-3-04)

This collection of drawings illustrates highlights of the sealstones and sealings excavated by the British at Mycenae in the seasons after 1920-1923. The exception is the line drawings of a clay sealing of 3 quadrupeds, discovered in 1920 by A.J.B. Wace in the Rhyton well at the top of the Ramp within the citadel. (MCNE-2-3-04-17). This image was drawn nearly two decades after its discovery to provide the gold-embossed design on the front cover of Wace’s book Mycenae: An Archaeological History and Guide (1949).

Information about this document

  • Physical Location: Faculty of Classics Archives, University of Cambridge
  • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04
  • Date of Creation: 1939-1955

Section shown in images 4 to 4

  • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-04
  • Title: Drawing of seal stone 39-536 with a deer
  • Abstract:

    Drawing of seal stone 39-536 featuring a deer. The seal stone was excavated in the Prehistoric Cemetery South Extension.
    Signed on r. in pencil 'P. de J.', its scale noted, '3 to 1' and an additional note 'not fixed, don't rub'.
    Object and photo numbers in pencil on r. written later by EBWF.

  • Date of Creation: 1939
  • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 12.5 x W. 17.5 cm; Related materials:
    Athens National Museum 7721
    Photograph negatives 58 E 16 (large) and 58 E 16 B (small).
  • Bibliography:
    Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr. 169, p 191

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    Information about this document

    • Physical Location: Faculty of Classics Archives, University of Cambridge
    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04
    • Date of Creation: 1939-1955

    Section shown in images 1 to 1

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-01
    • Title: 2 drawings by P. de Jong of faience cylinder 39-170
    • Abstract:

      2 drawings of a faience cylinder and its impression.
      i: the seal's impression, 'three figures separated by two tree designs, advancing toward a bird' [Porada, 1957, p. 200]
      ii: drawing of the cylinder seal itself. Both images were originally mounted side-by-side and printed as one illustration.
      The seal was excavated in the Palace area, below the North terrace (the Prinaria).

    • Date of Creation: 1939
    • Note(s): NB BSA 52, p. 197, note 1, "In the excavation notebooks and on the labels this area was known as 'Prinaria' from the oak scrub'.; Both drawings are in pencil, with white gouache highlights, on paper.
      i: H. 11 x W. 12 cm
      ii: H. 16.9 x W. 12.6 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7714
    • Bibliography:
      Wace, A., & Porada, E. (1957). Part II. A Faience Cylinder. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 52, 197-204 for discusion of the object, Pl 38a for the drawing, Pl 37b for an image of the cylinder itself. Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann.

    Section shown in images 2 to 2

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-02
    • Title: Drawing by Gilliéron fils of faience cylinder 39-170
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of faience cylinder 39-170 and its impression.
      The cylinder seal was excavated in the Palace area, below the North terrace (the Prinaria).
      A.J.B. Wace notes in pencil on the v. that the scale is 2:1.

    • Date of Creation: 1939
    • Note(s): BSA 52, p. 197, note 1, "In the excavation notebooks and on the labels this area was known as 'Prinaria' from the oak scrub.'; pencil & ink on paper, H. 17.5 x W. 13.7 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7714
    • Bibliography:
      Wace, A. J. B., and Porada, E. (1957). Part II. A Faience Cylinder. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 52, 197–204, Pl. 37. See ibid., p.197, note 1, "In the excavation notebooks and on the labels this area was known as 'Prinaria' from the oak scrub.'

    Section shown in images 3 to 3

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-03
    • Title: Drawing of faience cylinder 39-170
    • Abstract:

      1 loosely sketched drawing of the impression made by faience cylinder 39-170, unsigned.
      The cylinder seal was excavated in the Palace area, below the North terrace (the Prinaria).
      AJBW made notes in pencil on the v. for publication of this drawing but then crossed them through.

    • Date of Creation: 1939
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 16 x W. 18.8 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7714
    • Bibliography:
      Wace, A. J. B., and Porada, E. (1957). Part II. A Faience Cylinder. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 52, 197–204, Pl. 37

    Section shown in images 4 to 4

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-04
    • Title: Drawing of seal stone 39-536 with a deer
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of seal stone 39-536 featuring a deer. The seal stone was excavated in the Prehistoric Cemetery South Extension.
      Signed on r. in pencil 'P. de J.', its scale noted, '3 to 1' and an additional note 'not fixed, don't rub'.
      Object and photo numbers in pencil on r. written later by EBWF.

    • Date of Creation: 1939
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 12.5 x W. 17.5 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7721
      Photograph negatives 58 E 16 (large) and 58 E 16 B (small).
    • Bibliography:
      Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr. 169, p 191

    Section shown in images 5 to 5

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-05
    • Title: Drawing of seal stone 53-99 with 2 griffins
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of sealstone 53-99 featuring two griffins. The seal stone was excavated in the Perseia area.
      Signed on r. in pencil 'P. de Jong', its scale noted, '3 - 1'.

    • Date of Creation: 1953
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 12.2 x W. 13.9 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7645
    • Bibliography:
      Taylour, W. (1955). Part IV. The Perseia Area. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 50, 199-237, Pl. 39, c Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr 171, p. 193

    Section shown in images 6 to 6

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-06
    • Title: Drawing of seal stone 55-572 with 6 rams' heads
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of sealstone 55-572 (which possibly features 6 rams' heads). The seal stone was excavated in the House of Lead.
      Unsigned but in the style of Piet de Jong and attributed to him by EBWF, its scale noted on the r. '3:1'.

    • Date of Creation: 1955
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 7 x W. 9 cm; Related materials:
      National Museum Athens 7997
      Photograph negative 58 E 31. Note 'on negative with 53-501 to 53-507'.
    • Bibliography:
      Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr 166, p. 187

    Section shown in images 7 to 7

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-07
    • Title: Drawing of sealings on 50-205 (a genius between 2 hounds) and 50-229 (a bull)
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of sealings on 50-205 (a genius between 2 hounds) and 50-229 (a bull). The sealings were excavated in the House of the Oil Merchant.
      Unsigned but attributed to A. Petty by EBWF, scale noted on r., '2:1'.

    • Author(s): Petty, A
    • Date of Creation: 1950
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 15.3 x W. 9.2 cm; Related materials:
      50-205 = Athens National Museum 2627
      50-229 = Athens National Museum 7626
      Photograph negative 58 E 34-50
    • Bibliography:
      Wace, A. (1953). Part I. Preliminary Report on the Excavations of 1952. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 48, 1-18, Pl. 9, d Wace, H., Williams, C., & British School at Athens. (1976). Mycenae: Guide (9th ed), pp. 12, 13 Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr 160, p. 181 (bull) & 161, p. 182 (genius & hounds)

    Section shown in images 8 to 8

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-08
    • Title: Drawing of 4 sealings on 50-205, 50-229, 50-490 and unidentified
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of a sealing of a genius between two hounds on 50-205, a bull on 50-229, a lion attacking a bovine/deer (no excavation number) and three dancers on 50-490. The objects were excavated in the House of the Oil Merchant.
      Unsigned but attributed to A. Petty by EBWF in pencil on verso.

    • Author(s): Petty, A
    • Date of Creation: 1950
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 19.9 x W. 9.4 cm; Related materials:
      50-205 = Athens National Museum 2627
      50-229 = Athens National Museum 7626
      50-490 = Athens National Museum 7629
    • Bibliography:
      Wace, A. (1953). Part I. Preliminary Report on the Excavations of 1952. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 48, 1-18, Pl. 9, d Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr 160, p. 181 (bull) & 161, p. 182 (genius & hounds, Nr 162, p. 183 (3 dancers) Pini, I., & Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur. (2004). Kleinere Griechische Sammlungen: Supplementum 3, 1 / neufunde aus Griechenland und der westlichen Türkei, Ägina - Mykonos (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel. Band V). Mainz: Philipp von Zabern. Nr 218, p. 348 (lion attacking bovine)

    Section shown in images 9 to 9

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-09
    • Title: Drawing of clay stopper 50-207
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of clay stopper 50-207, attributed to P. de Jong by EBWF. Object excavated in the House of the Oil Merchant.

    • Date of Creation: 1950
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 11.4 x W. 12.2 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum Number 7627
      Photograph negative 58E-34 (50)
    • Bibliography:
      Wace, A. (1953). Part I. Preliminary Report on the Excavations of 1952. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 48, 1-18, Pl. 9, d

    Section shown in images 10 to 10

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-10
    • Title: Drawing of sealing of 3 dancers on 50-490
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of a sealing of three dancers/maidens on 50-490.
      The object was excavated in the House of the Oil Merchant.
      Unsigned and unattributed. Scale 2:1.

    • Date of Creation: 1950
    • Note(s): ink over pencil under drawing on paper, H. 8 x W. 9.5 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7629
      Photograph negative 58 E 34-50
    • Bibliography:
      Wace, A. (1953). Part I. Preliminary Report on the Excavations of 1952. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 48, 1-18, Pl. 9, d

    Section shown in images 11 to 11

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-11
    • Title: Drawing of sealing on 52-50 depicting 3 men
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of sealing on 52-60 depicting 3 men. Scale 2:1. Unsigned and unattributed.

    • Date of Creation: 1952
    • Note(s): ink and white gouache highlights on paper, H. 7.2 x W. 9 cm; Related materials:
      Photograph negative 58 S 8b
    • Bibliography:
      Wace, A. J. B., French, E. B., Bennett, Emmett L. (1958). The Mycenae tablets II (Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. New ser. ; vol. 48 pt.1). Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society. Fig 75, p. 44

    Section shown in images 12 to 12

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-12
    • Title: Drawing of clay sealing of figure between 2 animals in the group 53-501 to 53-507
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of a sealing of a figure between two animals from the group of clay sealing 53-501 to 53-507. The objects were excavated in the House of the Sphinxes.
      Unsigned but attributed to John Carswell by EBWF. Scale 3:1.

    • Author(s): Carswell, John
    • Date of Creation: 1953
    • Note(s): Photographs of an object with this impression upon it, numbered somewhere between 53-501 to 507, have the negative numbers 53-Q 146 and 53 Q 148.; pencil on paper, H. 21 x W. 28.5 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7632
      Photograph negatives 53 Q 146/148/149; 58 E 31 (53)
    • Bibliography:
      Bennett, Wace, French, Chadwick, Wace, A. J. B., French, E. B., Bennett, Emmett L. (1958). The Mycenae tablets II (Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. New ser. ; vol.48 pt.1). Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society. Fig 67, p. 42 Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr 163, p. 184

    Section shown in images 13 to 13

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-13
    • Title: Drawing of clay sealing of figure between 2 animals on 53-506
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of object 53-506 featuring on the reverse/underside a sealing of a figure between two animals and on the obverse/upper side Linear B text. The object was excavated in the House of Sphinxes.
      3 views are provided of the object: top, bottom and profile.
      Unsigned but attributed to John Carswell by EBWF in pencil on v.
      On r. in pencil described as 'seal no. 506. 1953 A Scale 2:1'.

    • Author(s): Carswell, John
    • Date of Creation: 1953
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 21 x W. 28.5 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7632
      Photograph negative 58 E 32 (53)'.
    • Bibliography:
      Bennett, Wace, French, Chadwick, Wace, A. J. B., French, E. B., Bennett, Emmett L. (1958). The Mycenae tablets II (Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. New ser. ; vol.48 pt.1). Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society. Fig 67, p. 42 Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr 163, p. 184

    Section shown in images 14 to 14

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-14
    • Title: Drawing of a sealing on 54-166
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of a sealing on 54-166 depicting a man and lions. The object was excavated in the House of Shields.
      Signed in pencil on r. 'P. de J.'. Scale 2:1.

    • Date of Creation: 1954
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 20.1 x W. 12.2 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7630
      Photograph negative 58 S 7.
    • Bibliography:
      Bennett, Wace, French, Chadwick, Wace, A. J. B., French, E. B., Bennett, Emmett L. (1958). The Mycenae tablets II (Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. New ser. ; vol.48 pt.1). Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society. Fig 76, p. 44 Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr 165, p.186

    Section shown in images 15 to 15

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-15
    • Title: Drawing of clay seal impression 54-166
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of clay seal impression 54-166. The object was excavated in the House of Shields.
      Signed in pencil on the r. 'P. de J.'. Scale 2:1.

    • Date of Creation: 1954
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 20 x W. 21.8 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7630
      Photograph negative 58 S-7
    • Bibliography:
      Bennett, Wace, French, Chadwick, Wace, A. J. B., French, E. B., Bennett, Emmett L. (1958). The Mycenae tablets II (Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. New ser. ; vol.48 pt.1). Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society. Fig 77, p. 44 Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr 165, p. 186

    Section shown in images 16 to 16

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-16
    • Title: Drawing of 3 views of clay stopper 54-814 with a sealing of a quadruped
    • Abstract:

      Drawing of 3 views of clay stopper 54-814. The views are from above, in profile and the impressed sealing of a quadruped looking back. The object was excavated in the House of Sphinxes.
      Signed in pencil on the r. 'P. de Jong'. Scale 2:1.

    • Date of Creation: 1954
    • Note(s): pencil on paper, H. 20 x W. 24 cm; Related materials:
      Athens National Museum 7633
      Photograph negative 58 E 33
    • Bibliography:
      Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr 164, p. 185

    Section shown in images 17 to 17

    • Classmark: MCNE-2-3-04-17
    • Title: 3 drawings of clay sealing of 2 recumbent quadrupeds from the Rhyton Well
    • Abstract:

      Parts i, ii, iii, unsigned drawings of versions B, C, D for consideration for the stamp on the front cover of Wace's 'Mycenae. An Archaeological History and Guide'. Scale 2:1. The image is of two recumbent quadrupeds flanking a sacred pillar.

    • Date of Creation: 1948
    • Note(s): The clay seal impression itself which features in the drawing was found in 1920 in the Rhyton Well at Mycenae.; i, ii, iii: ink on tracing paper, each leaf H. 13 x W. 11 cm.
    • Bibliography:
      Wace, A. (1921). ・ IV.—The Rhyton Well. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 24, 200-209, p. 205, fig. 1 Wace, A. (1949). Mycenae: An archaeological history and guide. Fig. 110, e Xénaki-Sakellariou, A. (1964). Die minoischen und mykenischen Siegel des National museums in Athen (Corpus der minoischen und mykenischen Siegel ; I). Berlin: Mann, Nr 019, p. 34

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