Swallows, Santorini, Wooden Mirror with copper relief representation of doves from the wall-painting "Spring".
Mirror with embossed swallows, detail of the fresco "Lilies - Swallow", dating to 16th century B.C., from the famous wall-painting "Spring" at the Akrotiri in Thera, Santorini. The swallows are made of copper and mounted on a wooden mirror.
The wall-painting of "Spring" is the only one found in a basement room in the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri in Thera. The painting covered three walls. The painting's theme - the springtime revival of Theran nature, was probably associated with religious rituals to celebrate the arrival of spring.
The wall-painting presents probably the rocky landscape of Stroggyli (Santorini) before the Minoan eruption of Thera. Clusters of red lilies dominate the rocky volcanic landscape, while swallows swoop above, singly or in flirtatious pairs. It is attributed to the painter of the Crocus Gatherers painting in Akrotiri.
The wall-painting of "Spring" is displayed at the National Archaeological museum in Athens.