ACCOUNTS, &C., OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



the Sphinx and in the drawing on the cup are slight traces of archaicism. For bold and 

 vigorous invention in the design, refinement of execution, and wonderful condition, this 

 rhyton can hardly be surpassed. Found at Capua. 



7. A rhyton in the form of a lion. The design, which presents traces of archaicism, 

 seems to have been borrowed from a Greek weight. This vase is in admirable condition, 

 and executed with extreme refinement and mastery over material. Found at Vulci. 



8. A cup of black vai'nished ware, on which a design has been impressed in intaglio 

 before the varnish has been laid on ; subject, Perseus, having slain Medusa, flying from 

 the two pursuing Gorgons. Pegasus and Chrysaor, the offspring of the headless Medusa, 

 are both represented in this scene. This unique specimen was found at Capua. 



9. An archaic ninoclioe, the mouth formed by the head of a Gryphon, said to have been 

 found in the island of Santorin. (Engraved, Monumenti of Roman Institute, ix., pi. 5.) 



Terrn-cottas. — 1. An Etruscan sarcophagus of painted terra-cotta. This sepulchral 

 monument consists of a soros or coffin, decorated with reliefs on the four sides, and 

 supported at the corners by pedestals ornamented with the busts of Sirens. On the cover 

 are a male and female figure reclining on a mattress. The male figure is naked, the 

 female figure draped, and wearing a necklace, the pendants of which resemble some very 

 archaic ornaments in silver and amber found at Palestrina. The style of these figures is 

 archaic, the treatment throughout very naturalistic, with a curious striving after ana- 

 tomical details. There is no true knowledge of projjortions. The forms are ungainly 

 and the composition ungraceful. 'J'he reliefs on the four sides of the coffin are, (1) a 

 combat between two warriors, each attended by three figures ; (2) a banquet ; (3) a farewell 

 scene between two w^arriors and two female figures ; (4) four female figures seated in a 

 mourning attitude. Above. the battle scene is an Etruscan inscription, the purport of 

 which has not yet been determined, 'ibis most curious and interesting sarcophagus was 

 found at Cervetri, and is very similar in scale and design to the celebrated terra-cotta 

 sarcophagus from the same Etrurian city in the Campana Museum of the Louvre. Both 

 monuments may be ascribed to a very early period of Etruscan art. 



2. Four figures of actors in grotesque masks, which seem to represent well-known 

 characters in the ancient Italian farces called Fahulas Atellance. Found at Canino in Italy. 



3. A large vase of the form called askos, surmounted by three female figures, and 

 ornamented on the sides by Medusa's heads and projecting horses' heads. 



4. Tw^o vases similar in form and decoration. These and the preceding vase were found, 

 with a number of smaller terra-cottas, in tombs at Canosa, in Southern Italy. They are 

 remarkable for their bold and original decoration and rare preservation. 



Marbles — 1. A head of Hera, of colossal size, large in style, but rather wanting in 

 refinement. From Agrigentum. 



2. A statue of a female figure of heroic size, thought to represent Livia, the wife of 

 Augustus, but the features are too much injured for this attribution to be certain. Her 

 veil and her age may indicate her to be a priestess. The drapery is richly composed and 

 elaborately wrought. Found at Atrapalda in Italy. 



3. A head of the young Augustus, in fine condition, and very similar in character to 

 the much admired head of the same Emperor, when young, in the Vatican. 



4. A bust of a Roman, L. Vetulenius Caricus, on a sepulchral cippus, inscribed with a 

 dedication by the heir of the deceased, L. Julius Theseus. 



5. A bust of the Empress Lucilla. 



6. A bust of the Empress Herennia Etruscilla. 



7. A bust of the Emperor Tiberius, found at Capri. 



8. A bust of the Empress Sablnia Tranquillina. 



9. A bust of the cynic philosopher, Antistlienes. 



10. A bust of Epicurus. 



11. A bust, probably, of Anacreon. 



12. A large Roman sarcophagus, with a representation of the twelve labours of Her- 

 cules sculptured in relief. Found at Genzano, 1866. (Engraved, Annali of Roman 

 Institute, xl., tav. d. Agg. F. and G.) 



Bliicellaneons. — 1. An interesting collection of carvings in amber, chiefly found at 

 Canosa, and formerly in the collection of Prince San Gioi'gio at Naples ; the rest 

 from Nola. 



2. An oinochoe in Egyptian porcelain, ornamented with relief of a female figure, and 

 inscribed 'AyaS^c Tvx>)e 'A/oo-ivoi/c <I>tXaoAi^ou. Of the three known examples of this 



class 



