DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61617#0430
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
363
Among the best examples of ornamental carving is the marble
table leg in the form of a sphinx, found in the second peristyle
of the house of the Faun (Fig. 182). The figure is well con-
ceived, and the technical handling is much above the average of
excellence.
Small tables or stands of bronze supported by three slender
legs were called tri-
pods. The top was
flat, but not infre-
quently surrounded by
a deep rim, making a
convenient receptacle
for light objects. The
rim of the example
shown in Fig. .183 is
ornamented with fes-
toons and bucrania,
while the upper parts
of the legs are modelled
to represent winged
sphinxes. This stand
was not found in the
temple of Isis, as is
often stated, but proba-
bly in Herculaneum.
The bisellium, the
‘seat of double width,’
was a chair of simple
design without a back,
used in the Theatre and
Amphitheatre by mem-
bers of the city council
and others upon whom
the “ honor of the bisel-
lium ” had been con-
Fig. 183. — Bronze stand with an ornamented rim around
the top.
ferred. The remains of one with bronze mountings have been
restored. The restoration, however, does not seem to be correct
in all particulars, and instead of presenting it we may refer the
363
Among the best examples of ornamental carving is the marble
table leg in the form of a sphinx, found in the second peristyle
of the house of the Faun (Fig. 182). The figure is well con-
ceived, and the technical handling is much above the average of
excellence.
Small tables or stands of bronze supported by three slender
legs were called tri-
pods. The top was
flat, but not infre-
quently surrounded by
a deep rim, making a
convenient receptacle
for light objects. The
rim of the example
shown in Fig. .183 is
ornamented with fes-
toons and bucrania,
while the upper parts
of the legs are modelled
to represent winged
sphinxes. This stand
was not found in the
temple of Isis, as is
often stated, but proba-
bly in Herculaneum.
The bisellium, the
‘seat of double width,’
was a chair of simple
design without a back,
used in the Theatre and
Amphitheatre by mem-
bers of the city council
and others upon whom
the “ honor of the bisel-
lium ” had been con-
Fig. 183. — Bronze stand with an ornamented rim around
the top.
ferred. The remains of one with bronze mountings have been
restored. The restoration, however, does not seem to be correct
in all particulars, and instead of presenting it we may refer the