Moses, Henry [Hrsg.]: A collection of antique vases, altars, paterae, tripods, candelabra, sarcophagi, &c.: from various museums and collections (Mailand, 1814)

VASES. 9

these subjects may be, they were for the most part selected
with a reference to the purpose for which the vase was de-
signed. Those which were set apart for sacred use were
adorned with designs bearing an allusion to the mythological
history, or the religious ceremonies of the deity in whose
worship they were to be employed. If intended as prizes
to the victors in the public games, they contained allegorical
representations of virtues which the gymnastic youth ought
to be emulous to imitate, or actions which they should stu-
diously avoid. If designed for funereal purposes, subjects
were chosen which were illustrative of the history of the
deceased, or adapted to the mournful ceremonies of the
tomb. ' .

On the painted vases inscriptions* are often found which
announce the names of the persons thereon represented;
and these are in many instances deserving of particular no-
tice, as they record names mentioned by none of the ancient
authors whose works have been preserved to our own times.
Sometimes the inscription only commemorates the name of
the artist who made or painted the vase, and sometimes it
contains a moral sentiment, or an affectionate remembrance
of some departed friend to whose memory the vase was
consecrated. An instance of this latter kind occurs in a vase
in the British Museum, on the bottom of which was traced
with a pointed instrument, before the clay was baked, an

* Viiie Plates 5, 6,. ...