Relief from Chrysapha (Berlin SK 731)

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Laconic consecration relief in the Berlin Collection of Antiquities , on display until 2010

The relief from Chrysapha in the Antikensammlung Berlin (inventory number SK 731) dates from approx. 550 to 540 BC. Dated. It was found in Chrysapha (east of Sparta ) on the southern slope of a hill. The dimensions are as follows: height 87 cm, width 55 cm (bottom) to 65 cm (top), depth 10 to 13 cm, relief height up to 0.7 cm. Most of the image has been preserved. It shows two seated deities and two adorants .

The relief is made of gray-blue, medium-grained rock found in the area around Sparta. The shape of the plate is approximately rectangular, but the edges are not straight, but follow the movement of the representation. The back of the relief is completely unworked, as is the lower end of the plate.

Description of the scene

throne

The two deities sit on a throne with a high back, which is decorated with palmettes on top . A lion's leg serves as the feet at the back and a stylized animal leg, presumably that of a lion, at the front. The armrest ends at the front in a segment of a circle and is supported by a small Ξ- shaped pillar resting on the seat .

Deities

The two deities, one male and one female, sit facing each other on the right side of the picture. They are shown in profile. Only the head of the male figure is shown in full front view. The skull shape is high and rounded. Small curls run from ear to ear under a narrow head bandage ( tänie ). The hair is not indicated further above. The ears are large, protruding and set relatively high. The forehead is flat, the bones sharp and curved, the eyes slit diagonally, a little deep-set and look as if they were set on the surface. The bridge of the nose is very narrow and short. The mouth with a narrow upper lip is slightly drawn up at the corners. A short, wedge-shaped, somewhat concave beard grows around the chin, which is only divided by a few very shallow incisions. The neck is as wide as the face. The upper body sits straight upright and forms a perfect rectangle up to the seat. Two long curls, formed like a string of pearls, fall down the back and chest. A close-fitting outer garment goes from the left shoulder across the chest under the right armpit, so that the neck and right shoulder remain bare. The upper garment, lying close to the leg, extends down over the calf, where it ends with a sharp horizontal hem. Below it, down to the ankle, an undergarment appears. The bare right foot rests on a step-like elevation. He shows the strap of a sandal, which is not itself visible. Both arms are bent at an obtuse angle and stretched forward. In the right hand the figure is holding a very large kantharos on the handle. The left hand is turned over the right, the inner palm with the fingers extended outwards.

The second deity seated next to the male figure is partially covered by the first. Above the forehead lies a broad lichen that reaches to the ear , in front of which a narrow, twisted curl falls vertically down the cheek. As with the male deity, the hair above is not executed. The eye is very slanted when viewed from the front, the forehead and the slightly pointed nose form a straight line. The mouth is narrow and straight, the chin is rounded and full. The chest is high and protruding. The upper body appears to be naked. The outstretched left hand of the arm raised to the level of the forehead grasps with thumb and forefinger in the end fold of the stretched veil , which is only recognizable through the outer, above horizontal edge. The woman's right hand can be seen resting between the man's arms on her thigh. She is holding a pomegranate in it . The right leg is dressed in a long undergarment that reaches down to the ankles, which is indicated by two vertical parallel folds and ends with a sharp horizontal line. The foot is covered with a beaked shoe .

Adorers

Below the kantharos are two adorers , a man and a woman. They don't quite reach knee height of the seated male deity. The man is shown a little larger than the woman. He is closest to the throne and carries a rooster on his outstretched right hand and an egg in his left hand, which is also outstretched . The upper part of the face protrudes strongly against the lower. A long, tight-fitting robe follows the contours of the body exactly. A vertical fold of cloth falls between and in front of the legs. Behind the back a puff of robe or a corner hangs over like a sack and follows the line of the back. The closed feet are bare. Behind the man is a woman. Her facial features resemble those of her companion. She also resembles the seated goddess. She also wears a tänie and a string of pearls that falls down on her back. She wears a tight-fitting undergarment, perhaps a woolen throw with narrow vertical pleats and a hem that slopes down from the neck. The position of the legs and feet and the direction of the arms are as in the depicted man, i.e. facing to the left. In her dainty right hand she holds a flower (similar to an archaic lotus blossom ) on a very short stem , and in her left a pomegranate.

More symbols

Behind the throne a large snake rises almost vertically . It rests on the curled tail attached between the feet of the throne. The dog-like head looks horizontally over the back of the throne and is characterized by a long, narrow beard and a large crest that sits on the tip of the nose. The snake's belly is scaled from bottom to top .

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