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 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."
An illustration of a lidded box. There are two panels of decoration; the left shows a fish and some stars, the right shows a bird. 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 figurine with two places where the arms would be sticking out, one on either side. The same item as 1936/01/03/21/06 (d) from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Figurine, from the Town: two views."
An illustration of the body of a male figurine, in red with an off-white loincloth and boots, with a brown item at the waist. The hands are held up to the chest. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Male figure from the same deposit at Petsofà."
An illustration of a figurine with one places where the arm would be sticking out at the front of this angle. The same item as 1936/01/03/21/04 (c) from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Figurine, from the Town: two views."
An illustration of the back of a male statuette with long hair from the chest up; the right arm appears to be raised but only the shoulder remains. This is the same statuette as in 1936/01/03/22/02 and 03 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Male statuette of Late Minoan date, with long hair: three views of the same."
An illustration of the front of a male statuette with long hair from the chest up; the right arm appears to be raised but only the shoulder remains. This is the same statuette as in 1936/01/03/22/01 and 03 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Male statuette of Late Minoan date, with long hair: three views of the same."
An illustration of the left side of a male statuette with long hair from the chest up. This is the same statuette as in 1936/01/03/22/01 and 02 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Male statuette of Late Minoan date, with long hair: three views of the same."
An illustration of lampstand, with repeating decoration around the rim and centre. Erased writing underneath the illustration says "Half full size". The original description in the catalogue reads: "Tall lampstand of stone (c): these tall lamps and stands are of the form common in L.M. III."
An illustration of a statuette of a woman in a skirt, from the front. This is the same statuette as in 1936/01/03/22/06 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Statuettes of women. Compare the clay figure 99d."
An illustration of a statuette of a woman in a skirt, from a 3/4 view of the back. This is the same statuette as in 1936/01/03/22/05 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Statuettes of women. Compare the clay figure 99d."
An illustration of a pin with a bend around a third of the way from the bottom. On the head of the pin is a seated dog; the ears have been imagined using dotted lines. The original description in the catalogue reads: " Pin, with a dog forming the head: brought to the excavators by a workman."
An illustration of a statuette of a woman, from the front. The statuette is missing arms and legs, and is naked, but something is carved over the groin area. This is the same statuette as in 1936/01/03/22/09 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Statuettes of women. Compare the clay figure 99d."
An illustration of a statuette of a woman, from the front. The statuette is missing arms and legs, and is naked, but something is carved over the groin area. This is the same statuette as in 1936/01/03/22/08 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Statuettes of women. Compare the clay figure 99d."
An illustration of a bowl with two handles. The rim and handles have a ribbed pattern. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Steatite bowl of L.M. II date, from a hoard of thirty-six vessels found together in one of the houses."
An illustration of a statuette of an amorphous woman, from the front. This is the same statuette as in 1936/01/03/22/12 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Statuettes of women. Compare the clay figure 99d."
An illustration of a statuette of an amorphous woman, from the front. This is the same statuette as in 1936/01/03/22/11 from a different angle. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Statuettes of women. Compare the clay figure 99d."
Watercolour illustration of a decorated shield. Sections that do not survive are outlined but not painted. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Bronze shield from the temple of Dictaean Zeus. This (a) is the only well-preserved example."
An illustration in blue of part of a shield, showing three and a half deer grazing. Some unpainted sections have been filled in from the surviving sections. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Besides the large shield, three others were found, more or less fragmentary, decorated with narrow zones of animals between bands of guilloche ornament."
An illustration in blue of part of a shield, showing two and a half spotted animals. Some unpainted sections have been filled in from the surviving sections. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Besides the large shield, three others were found, more or less fragmentary, decorated with narrow zones of animals between bands of guilloche ornament."
An illustration in blue of part of a shield, with two bands of decoration The inner band shows five sitting deer and another animal. The outer band shows five grazing animals and the bust of a woman. Some unpainted sections have been filled in from the surviving sections. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Besides the large shield, three others were found, more or less fragmentary, decorated with narrow zones of animals between bands of guilloche ornament."
A watercolour illustration of a terracotta figure of a woman, in buff with red stripes. The erased number 25 is visible beneath the illustration. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Terracotta figures of women...; from tombs 504, 513, 524. L.H. III (1400-1100 B.C.)."
A watercolour illustration of a terracotta figure of a woman, in buff with red stripes. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Terracotta figures of women...; from tombs 504, 513, 524. L.H. III (1400-1100 B.C.)."
A watercolour illustration of a terracotta figure of a woman, in buff with red stripes. The erased number 27 is visible beneath the illustration. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Terracotta figures of women...; from tombs 504, 513, 524. L.H. III (1400-1100 B.C.)."
A watercolour illustration of a terracotta figure of a woman, in buff with red stripes. The original description in the catalogue reads: "Terracotta figures of women...; from tombs 504, 513, 524. L.H. III (1400-1100 B.C.)."