DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1041#0199
178 History of the Society of Dilettanti
had been found in 1820 near the river Siris in
Lucania. They consist of two groups, repoussSs and
chased in high relief, each representing a combat
between a Greek and an Amazon. They had served
as the shoulder-ornaments of a cuirass, and are now
generally accepted as the finest Greek bronze work
of the fourth century b. c, although at first they
were supposed to be relics of the first battle of
Pyrrhus against the Romans, which took place near
the spot where they were found. These exquisite
specimens, afterwards justly extolled by Thorwaldsen
and other artists, were put up to public auction in 18 3 2,
but found no purchaser. They were then offered to
the Society of Dilettanti, and were deposited at the
Secretary's house at 22 Grafton Street. On March 2,
1833, the Committee of Publication recorded that
' A Proposal from the Chevalier Brb'nsted respecting the purchase
of his Bronzes found on the banks of the Siris in Magna Graecia
together with his description and Historical Essay and engraved
copper plates of them, being brought before the consideration
of the Committee—It was resolved that the Committee of Pub-
lication do not recommend to the Society the effecting such
a purchase on the terms proposed by him—nor indeed on any terms
likely to be accepted by him—by the Society as a Body—But as it
was certainly a very desirable object that the Bronzes in question,
which are undoubtedly of the highest Interest, as works of Greek
Art, should if possible be preserved to this country—It may be
worth while to make some exertions to effect this purpose—and
the Committee were therefore of opinion, that an Arrangement
might be attempted, by which the Government could be induced to
give as far as ^yoo towards their purchase for the British Museum •
(there being good Reason for believing that an offer to at least that
Amount was made on the part of the Museum, when they were put
up to public auction last year)—if a subscription to be set on foot
among the late and present Members of this Society could raise such
additional sum, as might induce the Chevalier to part with them.
It being understood that in case of the purchase being thus effected
the Bronzes would become the property of the Trustees of the
British Museum, and the Plates and Essay reserved to the Society
—these to be forthwith published by the Society together with that
had been found in 1820 near the river Siris in
Lucania. They consist of two groups, repoussSs and
chased in high relief, each representing a combat
between a Greek and an Amazon. They had served
as the shoulder-ornaments of a cuirass, and are now
generally accepted as the finest Greek bronze work
of the fourth century b. c, although at first they
were supposed to be relics of the first battle of
Pyrrhus against the Romans, which took place near
the spot where they were found. These exquisite
specimens, afterwards justly extolled by Thorwaldsen
and other artists, were put up to public auction in 18 3 2,
but found no purchaser. They were then offered to
the Society of Dilettanti, and were deposited at the
Secretary's house at 22 Grafton Street. On March 2,
1833, the Committee of Publication recorded that
' A Proposal from the Chevalier Brb'nsted respecting the purchase
of his Bronzes found on the banks of the Siris in Magna Graecia
together with his description and Historical Essay and engraved
copper plates of them, being brought before the consideration
of the Committee—It was resolved that the Committee of Pub-
lication do not recommend to the Society the effecting such
a purchase on the terms proposed by him—nor indeed on any terms
likely to be accepted by him—by the Society as a Body—But as it
was certainly a very desirable object that the Bronzes in question,
which are undoubtedly of the highest Interest, as works of Greek
Art, should if possible be preserved to this country—It may be
worth while to make some exertions to effect this purpose—and
the Committee were therefore of opinion, that an Arrangement
might be attempted, by which the Government could be induced to
give as far as ^yoo towards their purchase for the British Museum •
(there being good Reason for believing that an offer to at least that
Amount was made on the part of the Museum, when they were put
up to public auction last year)—if a subscription to be set on foot
among the late and present Members of this Society could raise such
additional sum, as might induce the Chevalier to part with them.
It being understood that in case of the purchase being thus effected
the Bronzes would become the property of the Trustees of the
British Museum, and the Plates and Essay reserved to the Society
—these to be forthwith published by the Society together with that