Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 2.djvu/259

 Bronzes and Jewels. 241 stop here. Thus, the conical cap at once brings to mind the twin figures at Ghiaour-Kalessi (Fig. 352) ; and the abnormal widening of the lower portion of the head is held by some to designate a woollen or leather piece, such as we noticed in Fig. 351, which served to protect the back part of the neck ; but it may with even greater probability have been intended for hair worn rather Tong. The circular hole, showing the position of the ear, was doubtless furnished with a ring, as in sundry figures at Boghaz- Keui and Eyuk. No ethnical deduction is to be drawn from the features, which are barely outlined ; the eye is a mere circle, with a hole in the middle by way of pupil. The short tunic of the figure is fastened round the waist by a double circlet, like that on the arms. The legs and feet are bare. In his hands are held two indistinct objects — probably symbolical — which it is impossible to determine — but which we may suppose to have been a double- headed axe and spear or bow. Above the eye of the lioness is a small hole, into which may have been inserted a symbolic ornament. The execution of this bronze is so rude and loose, it evinces so little effort to overcome the difficulties offered by the material, the general outline of the personage having but the faintest resem- blance to the human form, that it cannot be regarded as an artistic production, even of the most elementary and barbarous kind. It is a mode of procedure encountered more or less throughout the range of this class of industrial objects, amulets, puppet-idols, and so forth. Primitive tribes, we know, are not exacting with regard to the outward forms of their cultus. All they ask is to be provided with a distinct divine type, accompanied by attributes which shall at once appeal to their imagination and evoke their hopes and fears. Our bronze belongs to this type ; but despite its archaic nature we are inclined to think that it is not so old as at first appears. This may be inferred from the very satisfactory attitude of the figure on the back of the animal, with arms and feet wide apart, so as to ensure equilibrium and the utmost solidity. If the craftsman took so little pains with it, this was because he was obliged to furnish a copy of a well-known statue at the lowest possible cost. That the type (as that of Fig. 267), was widely diffused throughout the peninsula may be gathered from the numbers that even now are found in the country ; and all as primitive as our exemplar, if not more so. I have stated elsewhere that out of some scores that were placed in my hands, I kept one 6 c. high. VOL. II. ^