DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68307#0032
16
SPECIMENS FROM THE NAPLES MUSEUM.
Glass
AND JeRRA-C
P o/vlpeii.
OTTA FROM
The collection of glass and terra-cotta from
Pompeii is very large and varied, and the
resemblance of the specimens to our own
articles of domestic use makes it an espe-
cially interesting department. As might
naturally be expected, the Naples Museum
is very rich in Roman glass and terra-
cotta, and the excavations at Pompeii are
bringing new specimens to light every
day. The prismatic colours, and bright
iridescence on the glass, is the result of
centuries of burial, for no doubt this glass
when new was as tronsparent as our own.
The Greeks and Romans got glass-making
from Egypt, and the pictures on the tomb
of Beni Hassan show every detail o£ the
Egyptian manufacture, at a period probably
three thousand years before the time of
Christ.
100. (Off: No: 13521). Amphora of blue
glass, found in the Street of the Tombs,
near the house of Frugi, Pompeii. It was
full of human ashes. This priceless spe-
cimen is covered with a bas-relief in white
glass cut like a cameo, and represents
in the midst of incomparably graceful
arabesques the Genii of the Vintage. Some
are occupied in gathering grapes, others
are playing with their companions, Among
the groups are two beautiful Fauns’ heads,
from the brows of which spring vines which
encircle the whole body of the vase. Below
is a superb bas-relief of animals. The
precision of the workmanship, the correct-
ness of the drawing, and the elegance of
the composition, give this vase the highest
importance. (Height 1 ft.)
It is of the same material as the Portland vase which
is exhibited in the Gem-room of the British Museum.
The Portland vase is of purer style and much more
severe design, and represents legends of Peleus and
Thetis, but it is worth observing how similar the
Eros on the Portland vase is to some of the Genii
on the blue Amphora. It is possible they were by
the same artist, as the one was found at Rome and
the other at Pompeii.
101. Vases used in funeral rites, (a, e, f)
Lachrymatories or tear bottles to collect
the tears of the mourners, and to be placed
on the breast of the corpse. (&, c, d, h, z)
Amphorae, (g, k, Z) Glass cinerary urns of
the Roman period, still containing ashes
of the dead.
102. Glass and Terra-cotta Vessels,
for household purposes. (Off: No: 12895).
(a) An oil cruet in a leaden stand, (b, c, d)
Glass cups and a saucer, (e) Jar for per-
fume. (f) A strainer. (g) A funnel.
(7z, z) Bottles. (Z. m, n) Glass tumblers.
103. Terra-cotta cups richly decorated.
104. Two similar cups. (Pompeii.)
These cups were used for drinking, as is known by
the fact that a similar one was found in Arezzo,
bearing the inscription, “ Bibe, amice de meo,''
“Drink, friend, of my wine."
SPECIMENS FROM THE NAPLES MUSEUM.
Glass
AND JeRRA-C
P o/vlpeii.
OTTA FROM
The collection of glass and terra-cotta from
Pompeii is very large and varied, and the
resemblance of the specimens to our own
articles of domestic use makes it an espe-
cially interesting department. As might
naturally be expected, the Naples Museum
is very rich in Roman glass and terra-
cotta, and the excavations at Pompeii are
bringing new specimens to light every
day. The prismatic colours, and bright
iridescence on the glass, is the result of
centuries of burial, for no doubt this glass
when new was as tronsparent as our own.
The Greeks and Romans got glass-making
from Egypt, and the pictures on the tomb
of Beni Hassan show every detail o£ the
Egyptian manufacture, at a period probably
three thousand years before the time of
Christ.
100. (Off: No: 13521). Amphora of blue
glass, found in the Street of the Tombs,
near the house of Frugi, Pompeii. It was
full of human ashes. This priceless spe-
cimen is covered with a bas-relief in white
glass cut like a cameo, and represents
in the midst of incomparably graceful
arabesques the Genii of the Vintage. Some
are occupied in gathering grapes, others
are playing with their companions, Among
the groups are two beautiful Fauns’ heads,
from the brows of which spring vines which
encircle the whole body of the vase. Below
is a superb bas-relief of animals. The
precision of the workmanship, the correct-
ness of the drawing, and the elegance of
the composition, give this vase the highest
importance. (Height 1 ft.)
It is of the same material as the Portland vase which
is exhibited in the Gem-room of the British Museum.
The Portland vase is of purer style and much more
severe design, and represents legends of Peleus and
Thetis, but it is worth observing how similar the
Eros on the Portland vase is to some of the Genii
on the blue Amphora. It is possible they were by
the same artist, as the one was found at Rome and
the other at Pompeii.
101. Vases used in funeral rites, (a, e, f)
Lachrymatories or tear bottles to collect
the tears of the mourners, and to be placed
on the breast of the corpse. (&, c, d, h, z)
Amphorae, (g, k, Z) Glass cinerary urns of
the Roman period, still containing ashes
of the dead.
102. Glass and Terra-cotta Vessels,
for household purposes. (Off: No: 12895).
(a) An oil cruet in a leaden stand, (b, c, d)
Glass cups and a saucer, (e) Jar for per-
fume. (f) A strainer. (g) A funnel.
(7z, z) Bottles. (Z. m, n) Glass tumblers.
103. Terra-cotta cups richly decorated.
104. Two similar cups. (Pompeii.)
These cups were used for drinking, as is known by
the fact that a similar one was found in Arezzo,
bearing the inscription, “ Bibe, amice de meo,''
“Drink, friend, of my wine."