books 2005: Mysteries of the Snake Goddess, by Kenneth L'apatin

[supercheesegirl]

Full title: Mysteries of the Snake Goddess: Art, Desire, and the Forging of History. It was a pretty interesting book (nonfiction), about the discovery of the palace at Knossos on Crete around 1900 and how the artifacts there became a hot collectors' item, and how some of the artists working on the restorations began forging artifacts. Focused on one particular ivory and gold snake goddess at the Boston MFA, which now gives me an excuse/reason to actually go to the MFA, because now I want to see her. Anyway, it wasn't the best book ever--I think the author should have either made it shorter and focused more on the statuette in question, or else lengthened it a bit to have more information on the whole era and the palace itself. As it stands the book tries to be about the statuette but there are chapters where he just goes on about other similar statuettes the whole time. But it was interesting and had lots of pictures, so if you're into archaeology you might want to check it out.

Comments

[nchanter.livejournal.com]

Snake Goddess? There is a Snake Goddess?!!?!

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Here. Let me know if that link doesn't work, it's sort of long.

Hey, the MFA might make for an excellent date sometime...

[nchanter.livejournal.com]

Link worked.

The MFA would make a lovely date...

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Let's hang onto that idea! I've been dying to get there for a while... I hear the Egyptian collection is really cool. I would love to go with you!