330 



GENERAL VIEWS ON ARCHAEOLOGY. 



with human figures, less perfect; the whole in a style to a certain de- 

 gree Etruscan or Archaic, and representing a state of art, a civiliza- 

 tion which evidently preceded the Roman development. We do not 

 mean thereby, that this civilization was anterior to the first times of 

 Rome, which probably are connected with it; but merely, that in the 

 country where it shows itself, it is anterior to the invasion of the Roman 

 element, so called. It must have immediately preceded the latter and 

 been superseded by it, so that we must occasionally find it in imme- 

 diate contact with the Roman element itself. 



The most curious specimen of this Etruscan type found in Switzer- 

 land is the bronze of Gneehwyl, preserved in the museum of Berne, 



Fig- 13- (?) 



Bronze from Gnechvvyl. Switzerland. 



and described by M. Jahn. 1 It is an ornament that was riveted to a 

 bronze vase, of which there remained some fragments. It presents 

 features of resemblance with the Assyrian style, for the drawing of 

 the muscles in the legs of the lions, and that of the manes is in 'the 

 manner of that of the bulls of Nineveh. 



As an example of the specimens of Germany, we may allude to the 

 bronze vase of Mayence, preserved in the museum of Copenhagen, and 

 ornamented with a handle (chasse) carved around its circumference; 

 also another vase of the same kind found in Hanover and very well 

 described by Mr. Einfeld. 2 



1 A. Jahn. Etruskische Alterthiimer gefunder in der Schweitz; Memoirs of the Society of 

 Antiquaries of Zurich, vol. VIII, sheet 5; Zurich, 1852. See also Gerhard, Archaologische 

 Zeitung; Berlin, 1854, p. 177. 



s Independent pamphlet without any date. 



