The Mycenae-Vapheio Lion Group

Abstract

A large number of works of art dating from early in the Aegean Late Bronze Age (ca. 1550-1450 BCE) share stylistic features; for instance, lions will have a peculiarly raised mane like a fish-gill, furred belly and haunch, flame-like locks of hair on the mane, thick forelegs, and a saphenous vein curving down the backlegs. Such shared stylistic features characterize these works as the products of a large and highly versatile workshop, called the "Mycenae-Vapheio Lion" workshop known from the two principal sites that have yielded its products.