DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.786#0515
498 ROME. [chap. lix.
tombs of Etruria. It displays Mercury presenting the
infant Bacchus to Silenus, whose half-brutal character is
marked by hairy tufts on his body. Two nymphs, the
nurses of the lively little god, complete the group. On the
reverse of the vase, is a Muse, sitting between two of her
sisters, and striking a lyre.4—Prom Vulci.
On a second pedestal is a beautiful celebe, with yellow
figures, in the Third or Perfect style, representing a com-
bat of Greeks and Amazons.
The vases on the shelves around have mostly Bacchic
subjects—the deeds of Hercules—the Dioscuri on horse-
back.
One small vase in the corner by the window is remark-
able for a humorous scene, where Jupiter is paying court
to Alcmena, who regards him tenderly from a window.
The god, disguised, it would seem, in a double sense, bears
a brotherly resemblance to "honest Jack Falstafly" or
might pass for an antique version of Punch ; he brings a
ladder to ascend to his fair one ; and Mercury, the patron
of amorous, as of other thefts, is present to assist his father.
—Prom Magna Grsecia.
In the case by the window are sundry articles in
coloured and variegated glass, showing to what perfection
the ancients brought their works in this material.
Second Vase-Room.
This room contains thirty-nine vases. In the centre
are five on pedestals. The most singular is one of the
rare form called holmos — a large globe-shaped bowl
on a tall stand, like an enormous cup and ball. Its
paintings are most archaic in subject and design—
chimseras and wild beasts, principally lions and boars,
4 Mns. Gregor. II. tav. XXVI.
tombs of Etruria. It displays Mercury presenting the
infant Bacchus to Silenus, whose half-brutal character is
marked by hairy tufts on his body. Two nymphs, the
nurses of the lively little god, complete the group. On the
reverse of the vase, is a Muse, sitting between two of her
sisters, and striking a lyre.4—Prom Vulci.
On a second pedestal is a beautiful celebe, with yellow
figures, in the Third or Perfect style, representing a com-
bat of Greeks and Amazons.
The vases on the shelves around have mostly Bacchic
subjects—the deeds of Hercules—the Dioscuri on horse-
back.
One small vase in the corner by the window is remark-
able for a humorous scene, where Jupiter is paying court
to Alcmena, who regards him tenderly from a window.
The god, disguised, it would seem, in a double sense, bears
a brotherly resemblance to "honest Jack Falstafly" or
might pass for an antique version of Punch ; he brings a
ladder to ascend to his fair one ; and Mercury, the patron
of amorous, as of other thefts, is present to assist his father.
—Prom Magna Grsecia.
In the case by the window are sundry articles in
coloured and variegated glass, showing to what perfection
the ancients brought their works in this material.
Second Vase-Room.
This room contains thirty-nine vases. In the centre
are five on pedestals. The most singular is one of the
rare form called holmos — a large globe-shaped bowl
on a tall stand, like an enormous cup and ball. Its
paintings are most archaic in subject and design—
chimseras and wild beasts, principally lions and boars,
4 Mns. Gregor. II. tav. XXVI.