Late Bronze Age (LBA)
Late Minoan (LM) Period
Knossos, Crete, Greece

The first fragments of the “Feathered Prince” fresco were found during Evans’ excavation near the south entrance to the central court of the palace at Knossos on May 11, 1901. It was restored by the artist Emile Gilliéron in 1905. The original restoration is in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, Crete. A replica of the fresco is on display at Knossos near to where its fragments were found. The fresco’s young male figure with broad shoulders and a narrow waist is dressed in a type of kilt similar to those worn in the “Bull Leaping” fresco and a crown of lilies and peacock feathers. He is also adorned with a necklace of golden lilies. The figure is thought to be leading a griffin or sphinx by the rope in his left hand through a field of lilies.