Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 1.djvu/553

 •2f» Pi-IMtTIVE Gi.KI.". Mv-. NUN Af.T. Opinion, the only ornament evolved from a straight line, which this art has frankly adopted, is the chevron, and it is just possible that the popularity it enjoyed may be due to its offering a distant analogy to certain broken curves. Look at the stela which Tsoundas brought out of a Mycenian grave: curvilinear lines Ivory roMtle. Actoal tizc. are seen on the main face, and chevrons on the small side (Fig. 229). The acute angles of the chevron form a strong contrast with the curves to which they are opposed ; apart from this, however, a serpentine and rhythmic undulation is the dis- tinguishing feature of both. Chevrons are of frequent occurrence on pottery, and they serve to adorn the semi-columns of the 1, i33.^Cold rosclie. Treasury of Atreus (Pis. IV., V.), where they probably represent metal bands. With the rosette we are on the border-land which parts geometric ornament from ornament deriving its inspirations from the vegetable kingdom. Despite its circular contour, many a