174 
ETRUSCAN ROOM.—MEDAL ROOM. 
ETRUSCAN ROOM. 
In this Room is a collection of vases discovered in Italy, and 
known by the name of Etruscan, Gi*aeco-Italian or painted Vases. 
They are of various epochs and styles. 
The present collection is arranged chronologically and according 
to the localities in which they were found. In the Cases 1—5 
are vases of heavy black ware, some with figures upon them in bas- 
relief, the work of the ancient Etruscans, and principally found at 
Cervetri or Caere, the ancient Agylla. To these succeed, in Case 
6—7, the Vases, called Nolan-Egyptian or Phoenician, with pale 
backgrounds and figures in a deep reddish maroon colour, chiefly of 
animals. To these succeed Cases 8 to 19, the early vases with black 
figures upon red or orange back-grounds, the subjects of which are 
generally mythological. These vases are principally from Vulci, 
Canino, and the Ponte della Badia, to the north of Rome. The vases 
in Cases 20—30, executed with more care and finish, are principally 
from Canino and Nola. Those in the room, commencing Case 
31 and ending Case 55, are of the later style of these objects, and 
chiefly from the province of the Basilicata, which lies to the south of 
Rome; their subjects are principally relative to Bacchus. Among 
them will be found. Case 35, some rhjions or drinking cups fashioned 
in the shape of the heads of animals. In the Cases 36 —51, are vases 
from Apulia, resembling in their colour and treatment those of Nola. 
Cases 16—60 filled with terracottas, principally of Etruscan workman¬ 
ship, and in the centre ai-e various divinities and mythological groups. 
Vases with representations on both sides are exhibited in glass cases 
in the centre of the Room. 
Cases 36—55 are painted fac-similes; by S. Campanari, of the walls 
of an Etruscan tomb at Tarquinii, in two divisions; in the lower are 
represented dances and entertainments, and in the upper athletic games, 
as leaping, running, chariot race, hurling the discus, boxing and the 
armed course ; above is a large vase and two persons at an entertain¬ 
ment. The entrance of this tomb, decorated with two panthers, is 
above the Cases 18—29, 32—33. 
Above Cases 6—26, a painting in fac-simile of another tomb at 
Tarquinii, representing an entertainment. In the centre, one of the 
pages holds in his hand a percolated vase or wine strainer. At the 
sides are male and female dancers surrounded by trees and animals, 
above is the chequered ceiling of the same tomb. 
The Cases 1 - 4, 57—59, are paintings from another tomb at 
Cometo; that above 1—4, represents a female paying the last 
oflSces to an old man stretched out on a bier; that above 57—60, two 
men drinkinff and dancing. Close to these are the ends of the same 
tomb, with men drinking and playing on the double flute. 
MEDAL ROOM. 
At the farther end of the Tenth Room is the Medal Rooai, where 
are deposited a large collection of Coins and Medals, the basis of which 
was formed by the cabinets of Sir Hans Sloane and Sir Robert Cotton, 
and which has been from time to time enlarged by many valuable pur- 
