154 gallery of antiquities. [room IX. 
A small Roman altar, similar to the preceding. 
A pig of lead. 
EIGHTH ROOM. 
At present unoccupied. 
NINTH OR ANTE-ROOM, (upstairs.) 
No. 1. In the centre of this room, at the head of the 
stairs, is placed the celebrated Barberini Vase, which 
was for more than two centuries the principal ornament 
of the Barberini Palace. This vase was purchased of 
Sir William Hamilton considerably more than thirty 
years ago, by the Duchess of Portland, since w T hich 
period it has been generally known by the name of the 
Portland Vase. It was found about the middle of the 
sixteenth century, two miles and a half from Rome, in 
the road leading from Frascati. At the time of its dis¬ 
covery, the vase was inclosed in a marble sarcophagus, 
within a sepulchral chamber under the Mount called 
Mount del Grano. The material of which the vase is 
formed is glass: the figures, which are executed in relief, 
are of a beautiful opake white, and the ground is in per¬ 
fect harmony with the figures, and of a dark transparent 
blue. The subject of these figures is extremely obscure, 
and has not hitherto received a satisfactory elucidation ; 
but the design and the sculpture are both truly admira¬ 
ble. This superb specimen of Greek art was deposited 
in the British Museum, in 1810, by his Grace the Duke 
of Portland. 
No. 2. An ancient painting in fresco, representing 
deer; it was found in a subterraneous chamber at Scro- 
fano, about sixteen miles from Rome. From the collec¬ 
tion of Sir William Hamilton . 
No. 3. A bas-relief, in stucco, representing a winged 
boy, or genius, carrying a pedum across his right 
shoulder. From the collection of Sir William Hamilton. 
No. 4. An ancient painting in fresco, representing a 
female figure holding a patera, on which a vase is placed. 
Presented , in 1771^ by the Earl of Exeter . 
No. 5. An ancient painting in fresco, representing two 
females seated, in the Arabesque style, on the curling 
