About the 1936 Exhibition Collection
The British School at Athens celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1936 with a large public exhibition at Burlington House at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. The exhibition, British Archaeological Discoveries in Greece and Crete 1886-1936, consisted of a special display of Minoan culture related to the discoveries at Knossos by Sir Arthur Evans as well as the excavations of the School including: Phylakopi, Kamares Cave, Palaikastro, Mycenae, Sparta, Perachora, Thessaly, Macedonia, Lesbos, Cyprus, Ithaca, and Megalopolis (Arcadia). It also included displays of Travels and Studies in Greece and Asia Minor, the Genose in the Levant, Monasteries in Athos, Byzantine Music, Byzantine Architecture and Decorative Arts, Greek Island Embroideries, Special Studies of Greek Pottery and Sculpture, Restoration of Ancient Monuments, Studies of Modern Greek Life and the School buildings and officers.
Since original ancient artifacts could not be transported to the exhibition in London, the displays consisted of replicas of ancient artifacts, modern ethnographic artifacts and illustrative panels with original watercolour drawings, many of which were done by Émile Gilliéron and Piet de Jong, and photographs.
The 1936 Exhibition Collection contains the surviving panels with original artwork from this exhibition.
An ink illustration of the inside of a bowl, with many small animal figurines attached to it. Some parts are blank to indicate missing sections, with missing sections of the rim indicated by dashed lines. The original description in the catalogue reads: "The inside (a) and outside (c) of a bowl, to be classed with the dove cup (89 l). It is, however, much more elaborate. Inside the bowl is a whole flock of sheep, or perhaps oxen, followed by the shepherd. There are now 160 animals; originally there were perhaps a few more. The pattern on the outside of the bowl, with its appearance of weaving, is perhaps intended to represent the fence of the sheepfold, made, as now in Crete, by weaving bundles of brushwood into a fixed framework of hurdles." However, the image labelled a is the outside and c the inside.
An ink illustration of a black cup with white decoration. Some sections, including a handle, have not been filled in with the ink, indicating they were not original. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Eggshell-ware cup; black ground with a pattern of white lines and dots: M.M. IIa."
A watercolour illustration of a large red vase with a horizontal handle on each side. Decoration in white includes a bulls head and double axe, and flowers around some holes in the side. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Bucket-shaped vase; the finest of the few M.M. III finds at Palaikastro. The ground is deep red, and the pattern, of flowers and bulls' heads, is carried out in white paint. The walls of the vase are pierced with holes and round these holes the flowers cluster in a way that suggests that the prototype of these vases was some sort of ritual pot or flower basket with flowers showing through holes in the sides as well as at the opening."
A watercolour illustration of a vase in greens and white repeated patterns. The left and upper right sections are paler, indicating these sections were not found and were recreated. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Vases in naturalistic floral style, developed already in Middle Minoan III, and therefore Late Minoan Ia."
A watercolour illustration of a sherd, with a red on orange flower at the bottom and white lines on red above. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Vases in naturalistic floral style, developed already in Middle Minoan III, and therefore Late Minoan Ia."
A watercolour illustration of a vase with a pointed bottom and thin neck, in buff with dark brown, white, and red decoration. Some sections are paler, indicating these sections were not found and were recreated. The original description in the catalogue reads: " Rhyton...: Late Minoan I style, with the added red colour characteristic of this stage."
An ink illustration of a cup with black and white pattern. The bottom section has not been inked fully, indicating this section was not found and was recreated. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Small cups: Late Minoan III."
A watercolour illustration of a vase with a thin bottom, a large rim, and a handle, in buff with dark brown, white, and red decoration. The original description in the catalogue reads: "goblet: Late Minoan I style, with the added red colour characteristic of this stage."
An ink illustration of a cone-shaped vase with a handle. The same pattern repeats in six horizontal bands. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Filler-vases from a hoard of seventeen rhyta found together in an L.M. II deposit."
An ink illustration of the the top portion of a vase with a handle. There is a repeating pattern in a band around the top, below which is what appears to be ocean-related imagery: starfish and seaweed. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Filler-vases from a hoard of seventeen rhyta found together in an L.M. II deposit."
An ink illustration of a cone-shaped vase with a handle, the bottom section is blank with the edges indicated by dashed lines, showing that this section was not found. There are several bands of floral and dotted patterns. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Filler-vases from a hoard of seventeen rhyta found together in an L.M. II deposit."
An ink illustration of a vase with a cone-shaped lower portion, a thin neck and slightly wider rim, and a handle. The neck has a floral pattern, followed by some vertical stripes, and the body is decorated with what appears to be ocean-related imagery: starfish, seaweed, and shells. Part of the lower shell decoration are not fully inked, indicating that this section was not found. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Filler-vases from a hoard of seventeen rhyta found together in an L.M. II deposit: The marine decoration of (d) is characteristic of L.M. Ib."
A watercolour illustration of a cone-shaped vase with a handle, in buff with dark brown decoration of seaweed and shells. The bottom and some other sections are paler, indicating that these sections was not found. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Filler-vases from a hoard of seventeen rhyta found together in an L.M. II deposit."
A watercolour illustration of a vase with a cone-shaped lower portion, a thin neck and slightly wider rim, and a handle, in buff with dark brown decoration of seaweed. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Filler-vases from a hoard of seventeen rhyta found together in an L.M. II deposit."
A watercolour illustration of a cone-shaped vase, in buff with dark brown decoration of seaweed and shells. The upper right section is paler, indicating that it was not found. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Filler-vases from a hoard of seventeen rhyta found together in an L.M. II deposit."
An illustration of a round vase with a narrow neck and two handles, decorated with an octopus, seaweed and shells in black on bluff. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Flask with design of octopus, rockwork and seaweed; a fine example of L.M. Ib marine style."
An ink illustration of a vase with a repeating swirled pattern. The top of the vase and the handle are shown plain, which suggests they were not found. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Late Minoan II pottery of fully-developed style; i.e., late in the Palaikastro L.M. I-II series."
An ink illustration of a vase with a thin bottom and round body, with a handle on one side of the top and a horned animal on the other side. The horns of the animal have not survived, but have been predicted to reach back round to the other side of the top, shown by dashed lines. The body of the vase has a pattern of swirls and flowers. Some writing is visible in the top right corner. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Late Minoan II pottery of fully-developed style; i.e., late in the Palaikastro L.M. I-II series."
An ink illustration of a vase with a spout and handle, decorated with a swirled pattern. Some writing is visible in the right corner. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Late Minoan II pottery of fully-developed style; i.e., late in the Palaikastro L.M. I-II series."
An ink illustration of a vase comprised of two spherical vases joined together at the side and with a handle which stretches between the openings of both. They have a pattern of flowers on them. A section of the lower left is not fully inked, indicating that this section was not found. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Late Minoan II pottery of fully-developed style; i.e., late in the Palaikastro L.M. I-II series."
An ink illustration of a vase with a repeated swirled floral motif. Only a part of it is fully inked: part is completed with lines to complete sections of the pattern, while the top and back half is blank and completed with dotted lines. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Late Minoan II pottery of fully-developed style; i.e., late in the Palaikastro L.M. I-II series."
An ink illustration of a vase with three handles between a raised section at the top and the body, and a spout. The lower portion is decorated with horizontal stripes, and above this with swirls. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Late Minoan II pottery of fully-developed style; i.e., late in the Palaikastro L.M. I-II series."
An ink illustration of a sherd of pottery, showing the rim, handle and part of the body. Some details have also been added in white paint. There is a irregular floral pattern visible. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Late Minoan III pottery."
An ink illustration of a tapering piece of pottery. There are four horizontal sections with different patterns; the lower-most shows a bird. Part of the top section has not been fully inked, indicating that this part was not found and has been reconstructed. Dashed lines at the bottom indicate the this would have continued to taper. The letter a is written between these dashed lines. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Late Minoan III pottery: b, d. strainers, of styler intermediate between L.M. II and L.M. III. Several of these strainers were found with the L.M. III larnax burials."
An ink illustration of a round pot on a base with two handles horizontal at the widest point, and a wide rim. There are three horizontal bands of repeating patterns on the body. The base is largely composed of dashed lines, indicating that it was not found but has been calculated from surviving fragment. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Late Minoan III pottery."
An ink illustration of a tapering piece of pottery. There are three horizontal sections with different patterns. Dashed lines at the top and bottom indicate the original piece this fragment is from would have been longer. The letter b is written between the lower dashed lines. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Late Minoan III pottery: b, d. strainers, of styler intermediate between L.M. II and L.M. III. Several of these strainers were found with the L.M. III larnax burials."
An ink illustration of a spherical vase with one handle visible at the front attaching to the neck. The vase has repeated patterns in vertical bands. Some writing is visible in the top right corner. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Spherical flasks."
An ink illustration of a spherical vase with a handle on either side of the neck. The vase has repeated patterns in concentric circles. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Spherical flasks."
Ink illustration of a wide, cylindrical pot with a detached lid above it. The pot has squares of patterns going around it, and the lid has a pattern on top and bands around the side. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Pyxis with lid and two other vases."
An illustration of two small pots joined together with bars and a handle. The vases have similar patterns; the left going around the vase and the right coming down from the top. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Pyxis with lid and two other vases."
An illustration of a vase with a wide base which tapers up, then a rounder section, with one visible handle. It has decoration of vertical lines, dots, horizontal lines, and a wave pattern around the base. A small c is written to the lower right of the image. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Pyxis with lid and two other vases."
An illustration of the top of a table: a rough square with two concentric circles on the inside. There are symbols written outside the outer circle to the bottom, and two to the upper right. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Drawing of the reconstructed Table, seen from above."
An illustration of a table showing the top and side. The side shows four layers, gradually increasing inside as it goes up. The top shows two circles; between the two is raised compared to outside the circle, while the inside is deeper, with symbols visible on the top in front of the circles. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Perspective drawing of the reconstructed Table."
A photograph of some fragments of stone, with carved symbols and a curved raised section visible. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Photograph of the inscribed fragments before reconstruction."
A photograph of a table showing the top and side. The side shows four layers, gradually increasing inside as it goes up. The top shows two circles; between the two is raised compared to outside the circle, while the inside is deeper, with carved symbols visible on the top in front of the circles. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Photograph of the reconstructed Table."
A photograph of a rectangular tablet with seven rows of writing carved into it. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Inscribed tablet: photograph and drawing of the only one found in the town of Palaikastro."
An illustration of a rectangular tablet with seven rows of writing on it. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Inscribed tablet: photograph and drawing of the only one found in the town of Palaikastro."
An illustration of a statuette of a seated male child, with missing arms, at a 3/4 view. This is the same item as 1936/01/03/20/04 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "a. figures of baby boys these may be Egyptian and certainly show Egyptian influence: the standing type and the markedly dolicocephalic heads approach some Middle-Kingdom prototypes: (Evans, P.M. III, 446)."
An illustration of a statuette of a standing male child, with right arm and left leg from mid-thigh missing, fro the front. This is the same item as 1936/01/03/20/03 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "a. figures of baby boys these may be Egyptian and certainly show Egyptian influence: the standing type and the markedly dolicocephalic heads approach some Middle-Kingdom prototypes: (Evans, P.M. III, 446)."
An illustration of a statuette of a standing male child, with left leg below the thigh missing, from the left side. This is the same item as 1936/01/03/20/02 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "a. figures of baby boys these may be Egyptian and certainly show Egyptian influence: the standing type and the markedly dolicocephalic heads approach some Middle-Kingdom prototypes: (Evans, P.M. III, 446)."
An illustration of a statuette of a seated male child, with missing arms, from the back. This is the same item as 1936/01/03/20/01 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "a. figures of baby boys these may be Egyptian and certainly show Egyptian influence: the standing type and the markedly dolicocephalic heads approach some Middle-Kingdom prototypes: (Evans, P.M. III, 446)."
An illustration of the front and side of a plaque. The front has six lily-style flowers. The side has three equidistant holes. There is a small line drawn between the two images to indicate which side is shown. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Plaque with scattered lilies in intaglio."
An illustration of the front and black of a plaque. The front has a double axe at the top, and beneath it two tassels, one pointing down and one up. The reverse has a wreath. Part of the edges are represented by a dashed line. There is a small line drawn between the two images to indicate which side is shown. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Plaque with double axe, tassels and wreath, carved in relief. Evans (P.M. I, 433, n.) says that the plaque probably of M.M. IIIb date has been cut down and re-used in L.M. I."
An illustration of the front and side of a plaque. The front has a large bird on it, with an irregular shape along the top and bottom. The side has three equidistant holes. There is a small line drawn between the two images to indicate which side is shown. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Plaque with bird perching on rocks, a part of some larger object."
An illustration of the front and top of an object with five bumps. There is a small line drawn between the two images to indicate which side is shown. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Probably pieces for inlaying."
An illustration of the back, top, and side of a comb. The back shows two rows. On the left are the heads of two reptilian animals facing towards the centre. The top animal has two clawed feet showing (the lower left corner is missing, so the lower animal only has one visible foot). In the centre their tails mingle with another, which as been reconstructed as a largely symmetrical image on the lost right side. The top has a scaled pattern. The Side view shows the shape, with a dotted line indicating where the teeth of the comb would be. The original description in the catalogue reads: "The back of a comb, with a design of wreathed lizards or dragons."
An illustration of two side of an object with a repeating leaf pattern. One side is show in shadow. There is a small line drawn to the right. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Probably pieces for inlaying."
An illustration of two pairs of items. The upper pair is shown undecorated, the lower have patterns of concentric circles and curved lines. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Carved ends of what may have been a sceptre."
An illustration of a lidded box. There are two panels of decoration; the left hand shows two flowers and a double-headed axe, the right shows a horse-like animal with wings - a Pegasus, The original description in the catalogue reads: "Painted Larnax (clay coffin) found in the bank of the Palaikastro River: the style suggests an early date in Late Minoan III."
An illustration of a female figurine with a large skirt , tall headdress, and exposed breast. A proposed placement for the left arm has been shown with a dotted line. To the left is a view of the head from the other side, from a different piece of paper and pasted on. The image is a thicker piece of card which has then been attached to the base. There is some writing below the left-hand head. Largely in black and white but with red detail on bodice. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Reconstruction of a female figure from the Middle Minoan shrine of Petsofà: note the characteristic bodice and skirt, and fantastic head-dress. No complete female figure of this type was recovered; and this drawing was made by R.M. Dawkins by combining information furnished by a number of broken fragments."