Late Minoan II Period, 1580-1100 B.C.

Width 15/16 inch (2.38 cm).

Property from a Private Chicago Collection

Provenance:

Art Market, London, 1980s; where acquired by the current owner.

This lentoid showcases a mesmerizing depiction of a bull-leaping acrobat in a somersault above a galloping bull, rendered with exquisite precision on an agate seal. This exceptional piece belongs to a distinguished group of seals characterized by full-face galloping bulls with dotted eyes and delicately executed joints through a tiny solid drill. The well-known Minoan feat of taurokathapsia is vividly portrayed, echoing artistic representations found in various forms, particularly frescoes at the Place of Knossos. Discussed extensively by scholars such as A. Tamvaki and J.H. Betts, this seal could be attributed to a workshop, constituting a significant part of the dominant artistic style during the same time as Knossos' fall.

6f:T51c,

Inspected under UV light and 10x loupe. Minor scratches and encrustations. Generally smooth surface. Overall in fine and attractive condition. See additional images.

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A Minoan Banded Agate Lentoid with an Acrobat Leaping Over a Bull