38 ACCOUNTS, ESTIMATES, &C. OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



(2.) Ulysses passing the Sirens, who are represented as long-legged buds with human 

 heads. On the rockson which they stand are strewn the skeletons of their former victims. 



(3.) Daedalus flying, and Icarus falling headlong from the sky. In the foreground a 

 rocky shore, on which Pan is advanciuL^ Avith goats; in the distance a forlitied city. This 

 subject is very curiously treated. This, and the t'.vo paintings previously described, are 

 from Pompeii. 



(4.) A female figure partially draped, and crowned with leaves, reclining on a base ; her 

 right arm rests on a tambourine, in her left is a liorn. 



(6.) Two male draped figures, probably poets. One of them holds in the riglit hand a 

 patera, in the left a branch ; his head is crowned. The other holds in the right hand a roilj 

 in the left a branch. This and the preceding picture are from Stahice. 



(6.) Ariadne seated on the shore of Naxos ; in the distance the ship of Theseus. From 

 Herculaneum. 



(7.) A bird pecking at a fruit. This is a fragment from a picture; probably from a 

 Roman tomb. These paintings are mostly in excellent condition. Nos. 1 and 5 are 

 remarkable for free and masterly drawing, and No. 4 for harmony of colouring. Ancient 

 Mural Paintings in a genuine state are so rarely to be met with in the market, that these 

 seven specimens form an important accession lo the National Collection. 



IV. — Greek and Roman Terracottas. 



This Collection consists chiefly of small figures, such as are found in Greek tombs of the 

 Basilicata. 



One of them, a draped figure advancing the right foot, is remarkable for its size (measur- 

 ing in height 1 foot 3£ inches) and excellent preservation. 



The remainder of these figures, ihougli good specimens, present nothing remarkable. 



Among the miscellaneous terracottas, may be mentioned an archaic figure of Scylla in 

 low relief, and a two-handled vase ornamented with medallions in relief. This vase, which 

 is of the late Greek period, may have been the model from which a vase in silver was 

 executed. 



V. — Greek and Roman Glass. 



The small collection of glass, chiefly of the Roman period, presents nothing specially 

 worthy of notice. 



VI. — Silver Toilet Service of a Roman Bride. 



This celebrated treasure, which consists of caskets, vases, trappings, and ornaments, all of 

 silver, and probably executed for the most part about the close of the 5th century a.d., 

 was discovered at Rome in the year 1793, in a vaulted chamber, which, having formed part 

 of the substructure of a building, was afterwards buried under its ruins. Air account of 

 this discovery is to be found in the Lettera di E. Q. Visconti, Seconda Edizione, Roma, 

 1827, see his Opere Varie, ed. Labus, Milan, 1827, I. p. 210, where the principal objects in 

 this treasui-e are described and engraved. It was in the possession of Baron Schellersheim 

 before its acquisition by the elder Due de Blacas. 



(l.) An ohXoug pyxis, or casket, measuring above 22 inches in length, by 17 in breadth, 

 and 11 inches in height, of which both the lid and body are richly ornamented with figures 

 embossed and chased (Visconti, PI. i.-vi). The body of this casket may be likened to a 

 truncated pyramid turned upside down, supporting on its inverted base a lower truncated 

 pyramid forming the lid. Both in its shape and in the compositions with which it is decorated, 

 this pyxis j'esembles the sarcophagi executed in the peiiod to which the treasure has 

 been attributed, viz., the 5th century a.d. On the front of the lid are the words, Secunde et 

 Projecta, vivatis in Chris[to], "i\'Jay you live in Christ, Secundus and Projecta." On the 

 top of the lid within a wreath held up by two Cupids, are the portraits of the two persons 

 named in the inscription, and who are evidently a bride and bridegroom. The lady holds 

 in her left hand a roll, which, as has been conjectured, represents the marriage contract. 



On the sloping front of the lid immediately above the inscription, is a group of Venus 

 seated in a shell, which is supported on either side by a Triton, on whose back a Cupid is 

 standing. At either end of the lid is a Nereid riding on a similar marine monster. 



On the fourth side of the lid, at the back of the casket, is a very curious representation 

 of a palace, crowned by several cupolas, and supported by two twisted columns in the centre 

 of the facade ; on either side is an arcade. This jialace represents the residence of the 

 bridegroom to which the bride is being conducted from the left, while from the right 

 approach three figures bringing nuptial presents. The body of the casket is ornamented 

 on all the four sides with figures under an arcade, representing the bride at her toilet 

 surrounded by attendants, one of whom holds a mirror, another a torch, and the rest carry 

 various articles which formed part of the ancient mundus muliehris. 



Next in importance to ihh pyxis is a polygonal casket, the lid of which is suspended by a 



chain 



