THE TRIPOD OR FISH GROUP. 



85 



Specimens of this technique are reproduced in Plate XXII. A characteristic 

 interior for the tripod group in shape and painting is shown in figure a. The 

 feet are ornamented with the eyes, mouth and tail fin of the fish. The same 

 technique is seen in figure b, the best effects being at the bottom of the interior. 

 The supports are relatively long and spreading, with only pectoral fins represented. 

 In figure c, the effect of cross-rubbing the red bands on the legs is visible. At 

 the hip are the head, beak and eyes of a bird, probably the hawk. Just beneath 

 the head are two incised nodes representing the feet. A good specimen of the 

 flecked exterior is seen in figure d. Here the fish form of the foot is faithfully 

 reproduced without the help of incised lines or relief ornament. The red bands 

 in figure e were not rubbed while in process of drying, and the vessel is figured 

 here by way of contrast; the interior, however, is characteristically flecked. The 

 unpainted feet represent the fish again, the only feature emphasized being the 

 tail fin. A good example of the diagonally incised handle that ma}' be looked 

 upon as a connecting link between the horizontally 

 incised and the twisted handle is reproduced in fig- 

 ure /. 



A series of tripods with fish supports is given in 

 Plate XXIII. All are blackened by soot and smoke, 

 and only one (fig. /) bears any trace of ever having 

 been painted. Mouth and fins are indicated in all. 

 Each fish in figure a has both a dorsal and a ventral 

 median slit. By this means, light is let in, making the 

 movable pellet more conspicuous. The weight is also 

 reduced. Although large, they are of graceful outline 

 and, by the addition of incised nodes and fillets, rep- 

 resent the fish in truly realistic fashion. The teeth 

 are reproduced by zigzag incisions. The neck of this 

 graceful urn-shaped vase is adorned with a series of 

 six scrolls, below which runs an incised fillet, broken 

 at the handles. Each of the handles is formed by 

 three twisted strands. 



The dorsal fins are generally sacrificed to the dorsal slit, but this is sometimes 

 avoided by bridging the slit, as in the foregoing case. There is no such bridge 

 in figure b, so that the second dorsal fin is placed forward between the eyes, 

 and the first dorsal rests on the tip of the nose. The mouth is represented in 

 a summary way by means of two parallel incisions. Pectoral, ventral and caudal 

 fins are present. The ornaments on the neck consist of foot symbols and an 

 incised fillet. 



Especially noteworthy are the highly curved, fishlike legs of figure c. Both 

 dorsal fins are sacrificed here, but pectoral and ventral fins are present. The 

 caudal fin, though distinctly forked, is not incised. The slightly open mouth is 

 formed by fillets, and into the opening are stuck pellets for teeth. The incised 

 band about the neck of the vase resembles the carapace symbol. Each handle 

 is made of three twisted strands. The interior of each hollow leg is covered by 

 a beautiful grooved pattern. 



Fig. 141. — Tripod support, the only 

 ornamentation being a Jsingle 

 dorsal fin. Fish ware. '/» 



