326 SEAL CYLINDERS OF WESTERN ASIA. 
ters; the lower broad and filled with close cross lines, the upper showing probably 
two swans and a scorpion with also a crescent and a star. In fig. 1042, between 
two angles, pyramid-shaped and with cross-lines, there hangs from the summits 
a swing-like chain, above which is a heraldic bird with wings and legs spread. 
Another smaller cylinder, also in the Metropolitan Museum, has identically the 
same design, but a little smaller. 
Occasionally we see a design of coarse curves with little attempt at symmetry, 
as in fig. 1043. Cylinders of this type may or may not have the little cross-lines 
that fill up the interspaces. 
Occasionally an attempt at a more graceful geometric pattern appears, as in 
fig. 1044, where we have a sort of conventional flower of four petals, and alternating 
with the “flower” a sort of handle between two large forks, within which above 
and below we see a crescent and what may possibly represent the sun. In fig. 1045 

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“71045 1047 
the “flower” is distorted, but the idea is the same; the remaining space is filled 
with a great double Ane which suggests a leaf, while a narrower register supplies 
a wide border of angles. Quite similar “flowers” appear on a vase of the Middle 
Minoan period from Crete, as may be seen figured in the “Annual” of the British 
School at Athens, 1903-04, p. 9; cf. also a larnax from Przsos, 7b., 1901-02, p. 247. 
The design in fig. 1046 is really a rude variation of the guilloche in three parallel 
lines. We have a more interesting example in fig. 1047 which almost seems to sug- 
gest Christian crosses, made of little squares, hanging down on each end of the open 
spaces between what we might imagine to be curtains drawn in the middle. This 
cylinder is of lapis-lazuli and is certainly quite late. 
As has been said, rude art may at any period in history exhibit itself in crude 
geometrical forms; but designs with angles and dots seem to characterize the so- 
called Early and Middle Minoan period. We may regard it as probable that the 
cylinders here considered prevailed rather at a time before Egyptian art had invaded 
the islands and the coasts of Asia very much, and that such cylinders may be as 
old as 2000 to 1500 B. C. 


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