Dennis, George: The cities and cemeteries of Etruria: in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1848)

204

VOLTERRA.—The Museum.

[chap. xli.

form, and brilliancy of varnish, it is
not surpassed by the ancient pottery
of any other site in Etruria.

There is a fair collection of
figured specula, or mirrors, in this
Museum—some in a good style of
art. The most common subject is
a Tvdnged Lasa, or Pate. The other
bronzes are not extraordinarily
numerous or valuable ; and consist
of candelabra, strigils, small figures
of Lares or other divinities, ex-votos,
and the usual furniture of Etruscan
tombs.

There are numerous Etruscan
coins—many belonging to the
ancient Volaterra, and found in the
neighbourhood. They are all of
copper, cast, not struck—some are
dupondii, or double asses, full three
inches in diameter, with a beardless
Janus-head, capt by a petasus, on
the obverse, and a dolphin, with
the word Velathri—

\<OA4tt

ETRUSCAN CANDELABRUM.

in large letters around, on the

reverse. The smaller coins, from

the as down to the uncia, differ

from these in having a club, or a crescent, in place of the

dolphin. The Janus-head is still the arms of Volterra.

The dolphin marks the maritime power of the city.6

6 Volterra presents a more complete city. But they are all of copper ; none
series of coins than any other Etruscan of gold or silver. The as has some-