Agora Object: BI 511
Inventory Number:   BI 511
Section Number:   ΕΕ 238
Title:   Carved Ivory Pyxis
ΤΙΤΛΟΣ:   Ελεφαντοστέινη πυξίδα με πώμα και ανάγλυφη παράσταση γρυπών που επιτίθενται σε ελάφια. Tέλος 15ου αι. π.Χ.
Category:   Bone & Ivory
Description:   Broken and split into many pieces, but largely complete; one side slightly higher than the other.
A cylindrical box, tapering very slightly toward the top.
The flat lid is held in place by a projecting central disk which fits down inside the wall. The bottom is made in two superimposed parts, one providing the actual floor of the box, the other, fastened to the first by ivory pegs, is a separate piece which provides a base for the whole. Traces of a metal lining, analyzed as tin, were found inside the box.
The carved decoration, in fairly high relief, shows, on the lid, a griffin, crested, right, tearing two small deer. On the wall two similar griffins are represented at a larger scale, one right, the other left; they also are attacking deer both large and small. Considerably indications of a landscape backround. Close under the rim, two (?) horizontal lug-like handles, long, and slightly projecting, formed by the bodies of crouching animals; one of these fairly complete, the other fragmentary. Probably two pairs each formed by a lion and a deer. Pierced vertically.
Border decoration at top and bottom, two zones of incised S-curved lines.
ΠΕΡΙΓΡΑΦΗ:   Ελεφαντοστέινη πυξίδα με κάλυμμα. Διακρίνεται εγχάρακτη διακόσμηση από γριφώνες.
Conservation Status:   Finished
Context:   Mycenaean chamber tomb; Ledge at east end.
Handling:   Stoa Gallery Case
Notebook Page:   427
Negatives:   Leica, color slide, IX-88, IX-89, IX-90, XVIII-48, XVIII-49, XVIII-50, XVIII-51, XVIII-52, XVIII-53, XVIII-54, XVIII-55, XX-11, XX-12, XX-13, XX-14, XX-15, XX-38, 81-97, 81-317
PD Number:   Ptg. 195, 204, 294
Dimensions:   H. 0.16, (lid) 0.013; Diam. (lid) 0.11
Material:   Ivory
Date:   26 May 1939
Section:   ΕΕ
Deposit:   N 21-22:1
Bibliography:   Museum Guide (2014), pp. 106-107, fig. 60.
    Langenbucher (2007), p. 88, figs. 91A, B, C.
    AgoraPicBk 2 (1992), no. 2.
    Guide (1990), p. 224, fig. 138.
    Camp (1986), p. 68.
    AgoraPicBk 22 (1985), fig. 41.
    Guide (1976), p. 223, fig. 115.
    Vermeule (1972), pp. 219-220, 343, n. 17.
    Travlos (1971), fig. 10.
    Guide (1962), p. 146, pl. XI.
    Archaeology 13 (1960), p. 15, fig. 3.
    Webster (1958), pp. 28, 40.
    AA 55 (1940), pp. 161-162, figs. 28-29.
    Hesperia 9 (1940), pp. 283-287, figs. 27-29.
    AJA 43 (1939), pp. 582-583, 585, figs. 12-14.
    BCH 63 (1939), p. 292, fig. 6, pl. LV.
    Agora XIII, p. 166, pl. 32, no. I 16.
    Agora XIV, p. 7, pl. 18.
References:   Publications (6)
Publication Pages (5)
Drawing: DA 10540
Drawing: DA 13009
Drawing: DA 13033
Images (77)
Deposit: N 21-22:1
Card: BI 511
Card: BI 511
Card: BI 511