62 Prof. Han smarm on the Composition of' Ancient Vases. 
origin, led me to explore the nature of the ancient sepulchral 
vases of the Germans; and I have observed, that, in many of 
them, there exists a similarity to the former, not only with re- 
spect to figure and external circumstances, but also in the whole 
composition and fabric of the mass. The result of my investi- 
gations on this subject, I propose to publish at another time. 
i 
From these inquiries into the nature and composition of the 
vases commonly called Etruscan, it follows : 
1. That the manufacture of earthen vases appropriated to fu- 
neral occasions, had been widely propagated at a remote period 
of antiquity, with little deviation from a general plan, in so far 
as regards their principal circumstances. 
2 . That these vases have been formed with much particular 
diversity, in regard to less important circumstances, such as, the 
quality of the clay employed, and differences in the forms, orna- 
ments and paintings, not only in different countries and at dif- 
ferent times, but also in the same countries, and at the same 
periods. 
3. That the finer sort of these vases are superior, in regard 
to the preparation of the clay, and the elegance and variety of 
the forms, as well as the ease of the paintings, to all others of 
the kind, whether of Roman or of modern manufacture ; inso- 
much, that the pottery of the most remote ages forms the mo- 
del of that of the present times. 
4. That the art of manufacturing those vases, as practised in 
very remote times, is much more worthy of estimation than our 
best performances in that way, since the ancients were not in 
possession of many assistances which are applied to the art by 
us, and because some things which are now done without diffi- 
culty, by means of certain instruments or machinery, were, in 
those times, perfected by means of the hand alone, by the great- 
er dexterity of the artist. 
5. That certain circumstances were peculiar to the very an- 
cient art of making and ornamenting those earthen vessels, which 
have evidently been lost in later times ; of which may be men- 
tioned in particular, the composition of a very thin varnish, 
which gave a heightening to the colour of the clay in a greater 
or less degree, and afforded a very thin, firm black coating, re- 
2 
