Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 1.djvu/551

 Primitive Greece: Mvcenian Art. These alabaster slabs were embedded in the lower portion of the wall side by side. We shall show reason further on why this cannot have been their original place. In any case they were designed to constitute friezes, that is to say, bands where the pattern was repeated along the whole length of wall of the Fig 227 — P«rspecl ve view of the alabaster fheie apartment, and fitted to one another as shown in Figs. 226, 227. We have said that the part played by the ivory plaque {Fig. 222), in a casket or some such piece of furniture, was precisely similar to that which the frieze of the Tirynthian building fulfilled. This is proved by the tenon at one of the sides, and Fir,. 228.— A lalyi the mortise contrived in the adjoining tablet for receiving it. The double groove which served to unite the band with the elements above and below it were deemed insufficient and unsatisfactory, hence each piece was firmly secured. In going over the geometric ornament such as it unfolded itself at Mycen^e, we had no opportunity for adverting to shapes