154 
GALLERY OF ANTIQUITIES. 
Troom IX 
EIGHTH ROOM. 
At present unoccupied. 
NINTH OR ANTE-ROOM, (up stairs.) 
To the left, at the foot of the stairs leading to this 
room, a circular vase, or capital of a sepulchral cippus, 
decorated with foliage and the symbolical serpent. 
No. 1. In the centre of the room 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 which 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 discovery, 
the vase was inclosed in a marble sarcophagus, within 
a sepulchral chamber under the Mount called Monte 
di 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 
