172 
THE GREAT ARCH AT TACKT-I-BOSTAN. 
crescent, supported on each side by the same regal insignia. 
Two gigantic figures, winged like our common representation of 
angels, appear hovering over the answering curves of the arch ; 
and both extend a hand towards the crescent, each holding a 
pearl fillet, or diadem, fastened with a rich clasp, and the usual 
waving ribbons. Their other hands, with a very graceful action, 
grasp each a cup, filled with berries, or, possibly, pearls. The 
style of their heads is singular, being curled like the ladies of the 
court of our Charles II., and dressed in a coiffure resembling 
that on the busts of the Empress Faustina. The large wings, 
which spread from the shoulders, are carved with considerable 
nicety, but by no means to compare with those at Mourg-aub 
and Persepolis. That the figures in question were intended for 
female genii there can be no doubt, the artist having shewn no 
inclination to diminish certain protuberances, which nature seemed 
to have placed there ready for adoption into the form required; 
and, indeed, he has not left a scratch upon them, indicative of 
the slightest covering on those perfect globes. The disposition 
of the flowing drapery over the lower part of the figures, and the 
sway of their attitudes, are so like the usual representations of 
Fame, or Victory, on the triumphal arches of Rome, that I have no 
doubt of the whole sculpture having been the work of an artist of 
the eastern empire. The inner face of the excavation is divided 
nto two compartments : the upper contains three figures ; that 
to the left is a female, royally habited in a mantle and collar, and 
crowned with the diadem peculiar to the dynasty of Sassan. It 
is surmounted by a globe, covered with large pearls ; a fillet 
likewise encircles her brows, from beneath which falls her hair 
in long braids upon her shoulders. The drapery round the. 
person is ample, terminating in folds lower than the feet. Her 
