ROOM X.] 
BRONZES, VASES, GEMS, ETC. 
155 
branches of a plant; one of them is holding a vase, the 
other a tambourin. Between these figures is a bas-relief, 
in stucco, representing a human head surrounded with 
ivy, and underneath are two birds drinking out of a well. 
Presented , in 1757, by Thomas Hollis , Esq . 
No. 6. Decorations of Roman armour, found in 
Britain. 
No. 7. A Persian sextant. 
Case A. Antiquities from Persepolis, Babylon, and 
Nineveh. Purchased voith Mr . Rich's collection in 1825. 
Case B. An ancient lyre and two flutes found in a 
tomb at Athens. Antiquities, found by Sir R . Ker Por¬ 
ter in Persepolis , Babylon , fyc. 
Shelves C. Antiquities from Nineveh. From Mr . 
Rich's collection . 
Shelves D. Antiquities from Babylon. From Mr . 
Rich's collection . 
TENTH ROOM. 
COLLECTION OF SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, ETC. 
Cases 1 , 2, 3, 4. Penates or household gods, in 
bronze. In the lower part of these Cases, are contained 
some large bronze vessels, one of which, in the form of 
a round deep patera, is remarkable for the beauty of its 
handles, which are raised above the edge: they repre¬ 
sent two serpents holding an egg in their mouths ; un¬ 
derneath the serpents is the aegis of Minerva. 
Case 5. A raven, the size of life, and seven large 
candelabra, in bronze. The raven was presented, in 
1777, by Lord Seaforth. It is of the finest workman¬ 
ship, and has probably accompanied a statue of Apollo. 
Case 6 . Specimens of ancient glass. The principal 
articles are eight cinerary urns. One of them has the 
leaden covering in which it was preserved; and another 
contains the burnt bones, and the asbestos cloth which 
prevented the ashes of the body from mixing with those 
of the funeral pile. These articles are accompanied by 
a great number of lachrymatories, and various other 
vessels and fragments of vessels, of different forms and 
colours; the whole of which afford ample proof of the 
ingenuity of the ancients, and of the great knowledge 
