CINERARY URNS. 



71 



pression that they were made hastily. The ornamental patterns 

 upon them vary in an almost indefinite degree ; so much so in 

 fact that it may be said of them that no two are exactly alike. 



The most common forms of ornament are alternate series of 

 parallel horizontal and vertical lines (like heraldic compone, if 

 it were engraved as of gules and azure) ; now and then in a 

 double series (as counter-compone) ; triangles set in rows (or 



Fig. 58. . 



rather what heralds call a dancette line of partition), the tri- 

 angular spaces formed being filled with parallel diagonal lines, 

 which have a different direction in each alternate space (like 

 alternate representations of heraldic purpure and vert) ; rows of 

 round or oval impressions encircling the urn; lines forming a 

 reticulated pattern; lines placed herring-bone fashion, or m a 

 zigzag. The lines are often made by impressions of twisted 

 thong or cord, but sometimes are drawn on the clay with a 

 sharp-pointed instrument. In some rare cases raised ribs occur 



