DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0545
chap, xxii.] SYMBOLIC EYES. 439
sorts of goblets—such, as orocpos, <rKa<f>7], KUfifitj, KvmWov, Kapxq<nov, aKaros,
ok&tiov—are common, to them with vessels ; and it is on vases of this
description that eyes are most frequently painted. This analogy between
boats and cups is greatly confirmed by the fables of Hercules crossing
the sea to Spain in a goblet (Apollod. II. p. 100, ed. 1599 ; Athen. XI.
p. 469 ; Macrob. Saturn. V. 21)—the prototype of St. Raymund.
Note II.—Singular Sarcophagi.
These two sarcophagi were found at Vulci, in the winter of 1845-6,
and thence transported to Musignano. They are about seven feet in
length. One is of a material very unusual in this part of Btruria—
alabaster—whether from Volterra, or from the Circaean promontory, I
cannot say, not having seen the monuments. It bears on its lid not a
single figure, but a pair, a wedded pair, clasped in each other's arms—
gremio jacuit nova nupta mariti—
lying half-draped in that loving posture, described in the Canticles—
" His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace
me." Satisfactory, doubtless, to their Manes was this petrifaction of
their conjugal fondness, but posterity could have taken it for granted—
do s' intende bene. This most unusual attitude seems to hint at some
tragical event that cut down both at one stroke. The relief below
represents, as if for contrast, a combat between Greeks and Amazons ;
and at the ends of the monument are lions and griffons devouring cattle.
Thp other sarcophagus is of peperino, and bears a similar pair on its
lid. Its relief is in a superior style of art. In the centre is a matronly
female, embracing and perhaps taking leave of a youth. Other figures
stand on either side. Behind this female is another, bearing a hydria
on her head, and a cantharus in her hand; a third with a large fan
(pirn's—-flabellum), exaetly like the Indian fans of the present day ; and
a fourth with lyre and plectrum. Behind the youth stands a male
with a folding-stool (oxXaSias—plicatilis); another with a lituus or
augur's wand ; a third with a trumpet; and a female flute-player with
double-pipes and a chaplet. At one end of the monument is a fond
couple drawn in a biga, and in the act of embracing, which suggests,
even more strongly than the recumbent figures on the lid, that the
deceased pair were cut off at once ; for the chariot indicates the
passage to the other world, while the fatal event is also symbolised by
an accompanying Fate or Fury with snakes wound round her arms.
At each end of the lid are three female heads, set in flowers.
These sarcophagi, I am told, have just been purchased by the Papal
Government for the Gregorian Museum, for about £350.
sorts of goblets—such, as orocpos, <rKa<f>7], KUfifitj, KvmWov, Kapxq<nov, aKaros,
ok&tiov—are common, to them with vessels ; and it is on vases of this
description that eyes are most frequently painted. This analogy between
boats and cups is greatly confirmed by the fables of Hercules crossing
the sea to Spain in a goblet (Apollod. II. p. 100, ed. 1599 ; Athen. XI.
p. 469 ; Macrob. Saturn. V. 21)—the prototype of St. Raymund.
Note II.—Singular Sarcophagi.
These two sarcophagi were found at Vulci, in the winter of 1845-6,
and thence transported to Musignano. They are about seven feet in
length. One is of a material very unusual in this part of Btruria—
alabaster—whether from Volterra, or from the Circaean promontory, I
cannot say, not having seen the monuments. It bears on its lid not a
single figure, but a pair, a wedded pair, clasped in each other's arms—
gremio jacuit nova nupta mariti—
lying half-draped in that loving posture, described in the Canticles—
" His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace
me." Satisfactory, doubtless, to their Manes was this petrifaction of
their conjugal fondness, but posterity could have taken it for granted—
do s' intende bene. This most unusual attitude seems to hint at some
tragical event that cut down both at one stroke. The relief below
represents, as if for contrast, a combat between Greeks and Amazons ;
and at the ends of the monument are lions and griffons devouring cattle.
Thp other sarcophagus is of peperino, and bears a similar pair on its
lid. Its relief is in a superior style of art. In the centre is a matronly
female, embracing and perhaps taking leave of a youth. Other figures
stand on either side. Behind this female is another, bearing a hydria
on her head, and a cantharus in her hand; a third with a large fan
(pirn's—-flabellum), exaetly like the Indian fans of the present day ; and
a fourth with lyre and plectrum. Behind the youth stands a male
with a folding-stool (oxXaSias—plicatilis); another with a lituus or
augur's wand ; a third with a trumpet; and a female flute-player with
double-pipes and a chaplet. At one end of the monument is a fond
couple drawn in a biga, and in the act of embracing, which suggests,
even more strongly than the recumbent figures on the lid, that the
deceased pair were cut off at once ; for the chariot indicates the
passage to the other world, while the fatal event is also symbolised by
an accompanying Fate or Fury with snakes wound round her arms.
At each end of the lid are three female heads, set in flowers.
These sarcophagi, I am told, have just been purchased by the Papal
Government for the Gregorian Museum, for about £350.