175 
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 to Frascati. At the 
time of its discovery, the vase was inclosed in a mar¬ 
ble sarcophagus, within a sepulchral chamber under 
the Mount called Monte 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 perfect harmony with the figures, 
and of a dark transparent blue. The subject of these 
figures is extremely obscure, and has not hitherto re¬ 
ceived a satisfactory elucidation; but the design and 
the sculpture are both truly admirable. 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 
Scrofano, about sixteen miles from Rome. From the 
collection 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 Ha¬ 
milton, 
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 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 sur¬ 
rounded with ivy, and underneath are two birds drink¬ 
ing 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. 
ROOM XI. 
Antiquities. 
Case 
