Earthen Vases known by the Name of Etruscan, 57 
We shall now, in the second place, speak of the mechanical 
method , in which the varnish and paintings have been applied. 
All that I have observed with regard to this matter, during a 
diligent examination of Grecian and Etruscan vases, as well as 
O 
all that has already been observed by others, agrees well with the 
opinion expressed above, regarding the composition of the var- 
nish. * * 
Some antiquarians have thought, that the paintings of Greci- 
an vases have been perfected by the assistance of the moulds to 
which our workmen gave the name of Patrones Others have 
supposed, not that the whole paintings, but the ornaments, have 
been made in this way f. I cannot, however, give my assent to 
these opinions. If the figures or ornaments had been perfected 
by the aid of moulds, vases would undoubtedly be sometimes 
found in the same place, with the same paintings. But although 
similar representations are not unfrequently seen in different 
vases, there have never, in so far at least as I know, been found 
two vases, whose paintings correspond in every respect, which 
has already been remarked by Grivaud J. If the ornaments, 
which might have been made by means of moulds more easily 
than the more diversified and complex figures, be attentively 
examined, certain irregularities and slight blemishes will often 
be found, which would undoubtedly have been avoided, if 
moulds had been applied in the painting of vases. 
From certain marks to be observed in the paintings and var- 
nish of vases, it may be inferred that the black paint has not 
always been applied once only, but sometimes repeatedly. The 
first coating is not always accurately covered by the succeeding 
one ; nor is it rare to find different shades of colour in the same 
vase. The parts of vases not covered by the black varnish very 
frequently are of a red colour, which is darker than the peculiar 
colour of baked clay, and has also a certain degree of lustre ; 
properties which have probably been produced by a single ap- 
plication of a thin varnish. 
* Hamilton was of this opinion, but he afterwards thought otherwise. Boet- 
tiger’s Vasengem. Bo, i. Heft 3. p. 46, 58. 
*j* Rossi , First Letter to M. Millingen. Peint. Ant. p. vi. 
X Jorio Sui Met. d.Ant, nel dipingere i Vasi, p. 9. 
