1-6 ACCOUNTS, ESTIMATES, &C. OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



Examples of this class of fictile art are occasionally to be met with, but none, it is 

 thought, exhibiting such free and masterly driivving as the Camirus Vase. 



This Vase is further interesting from the fact that up to the time of its discovery no 

 specimen of fictile art had b( en obtained from the Greek Archipelago at all comparable to 

 the finest specimens from Vulci or Southern Italy. 



It is probable that the Camirus Vase is of Rhodian fabric, and that it was executed 

 about the time of Protogeues. 



The marked excellence in the drawing and composition may, therefore, reflect the 

 nfluence of that renowned artist. 



In the same tomb with this Vjise was found a gold pyxis, about one inch in diameter, 

 ornamented on each side wiih a figure exquisitely embossed and chased. 



On one side is represented Eros or Cupid feeling the point of his arrow, on the other 

 Thetis on a Dolphin bringing to Aciiilles the Armour made for him by Vulcan. Both 

 these figures probably have reference to the principal subject of the Vase. 



This and another gold pyxis precisely similar were found enclosed within a small 

 alabaster pyxis. 



Several interesting specimens of early Greek Vases, Terracottas, and Glass fiom Camirus 

 have been added lo the Collection acquired since 1859. 



2. A Gold Fibula, from Care [Cervetri), formerly in the collection of Mr. T. Bluyds. 

 This Fibula, which is rather more than eight inches long, is remarkable for its unusual 



size and for beauty of workmanship. 



It is ornamented on the front with a double row of lions ; the head is decorated with 

 sphinxes, the whole embossed and corded with filagree. Jt is engraved in the Monumenti 

 Inediti of Micali, Tav, xxi. figg. G, 7. 



3. A Terracotta Lamp in the form of a galley, made of coarse red clay, and about two 

 feet one inch long. 



It was found at Pozzuoli, and was formerly in the Duiand Collection, where it is described 

 (No. 1777.) 



It is remarkable for its size, form, and the singular figures with which it is ornamented. 



On the upper part or deck of the tialley are represented in relief a group of Serapis and 

 Isis, below which is one of the Dioscuri, standing on a base inscribed with the word 

 EYIIAOIA in uncial characters. Below this again is a grotesque figure, supposed to be 

 the potter Demiurgos modelling a vase. On the bottom of the lamp is written in uncial 

 characters AABE ME TON HAIOCEPAIIIN. From the evidence of the two inscriptions, 

 it is probable that this lamp was a votive oflfering, dedicated in a temple of Serapis at 

 Pozzuoli, after a successful voyage. 



4. A group in ivhite marble, representing Europa a'ossing the Sea on the Bull, found at 

 Gortyna in Crete, obtained for the British Museum through Mr. Consul Guarracino, and 

 brought to England in Her Ma)esty'.> ship " Scourge." 



This group, which is about life-size, is probably the work of some inferior Cretan artist: 

 the lower part of the figare of Europa appears to be a later restoration. 



Notwithstanding the inferior character of the sculpture, this group is an interesting 

 acquisition from having been found at Gortyna, the scene of the fabled landing of Europa, 

 on the coins of which place the group occurs veiy similarly composed. 



5. Leaden Tablets from Cnidus. — Durino- the course of the excavations at Cnidus, 14 

 fragments of leaden tablets were found replied up and broken near the bases of statues in 

 the Temenos of Demeter. 



These fragments have recently been unrolled, and found to be covered with inscriptions 

 which have been deciplered and engraved in facsimile. 



The subjects of all of them are Dirce, or dedications to the infernal deities of certain 

 offending persons, on whose heads punishment is invoked. 



These inscriptions are of much interest not only as early specimens of Palaeography, but 

 also from the light they throw on some of the superstitions of the ancient world. Such 

 tablets are of extreme rarity. 



6. Casts from the Colossal Marble Lion of Charonea. — This lion was placed by the 

 Thebnns on the battle field of Chseronea, in memory of those of their countrymen who 

 fell in that contest, which took place b. c. 338. 



In the 2d Century of the Christian ^Era, the lion was seen in situ by Pausanias, and is 

 desciibs'd in his work on Greece, [ix. 40. § 5.] 



In the year 1818 the fragments of this noble work were accidentally discovered by a 

 party of English travellers, who removed the soil under whicii they were nearly buried. \_See 

 the " Liteiary Gazette " for 1824, p. 265.] 



Since this discovery the remains have lain on the spot where they were excavated, un- 

 protected from weather. In the course of last year an opportunity having occurred of 

 sending a formaiore from Athens to Chseronea, casts of the head and hind legs have been 

 made, and are now in the British Museum. 



This lion was in a seated posture ; its scale must have been double that of the Cnidus Lion. 

 The style of the sculpture is exceedingly fine, and the interest of these fragments is 

 enhanced by the fact that the Chseronea monument was erected but a few years subse- 

 quently to the Mausoleum, and ihat this lion and the colossal horse from the pyramid are, 

 probably, both works of the later Athenian school. 



The 



