DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22421#0104
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THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
J5TTER M.
of Mr. Anastasi in 1839 ; of the valuable collection of the Earl
of Belmore in 1843; and of many interesting objects at the
sale of the late Mr. Andrews' collection in 1848 ; also of two
gold enamelled bracelets, purchased from the Hon. C. A. Murray
in 1850.
The most important of the presents are a collection of Egyptian
antiquities, including the sarcophagus of Mycerinus, presented by
Colonel Vise in 1838 ; some casts of Egyptian and Nubian bas-
reliefs by Mr. Hay in 1840; and a colossal kneeling figure in
black basalt by Mr. Fletcher in 1844.
The Egyptian department now constitutes in every respect the
most valuable collection of this kind in Europe.
At the two sides of the entrance are two lions couchant (No. 1
and 34 of the Catalogue), the worthy guardians of this Egyptian
sanctuary; they belong to the 18th dynasty, when the sculpture of
Egypt had attained its greatest perfection ; they are wrought in the
granite which the Italians, from the red colour of the felspar, call
corallino, and are perfect models of architectonic sculpture. The
action is true to nature, and yet at the same time admirably cor-
responds with the severe rectilinear, architectonic style of Egyptian
art. AH the principal proportions are correct; the forms very much
simplified, according to a certain rule; at the same time, with a
fine feeling for what is most characteristic in nature, everything is
retained which expresses the grandeur of the lion. Add to this the
greatest sharpness and precision in the working of the hard stone,
the most beautiful and durable polish of the surface, and you have
before you the chief elements of that grandeur of effect which
characterises the best specimens of Egyptian sculpture. The lions,
formerly before one of the gates of a temple at Mount Barkal,
were presented by Lord Prudhoe, now Duke of Northumberland,
in 1835. In England alone are such truly princely presents made
by private individuals to public institutions. If it is said that this
is possible only with English money, I must add, also only with
English public spirit and with English intellectual superiority,
which are capable of feeling the importance of such works. When
I stood between the two lines in which the principal colossal monu-
ments are ranged in the lofty hall, which is lighted on both sides,
I felt in full force that elevated and solemn impression which these
gigantic objects inspire, and vividly realised the powerful influence
THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
J5TTER M.
of Mr. Anastasi in 1839 ; of the valuable collection of the Earl
of Belmore in 1843; and of many interesting objects at the
sale of the late Mr. Andrews' collection in 1848 ; also of two
gold enamelled bracelets, purchased from the Hon. C. A. Murray
in 1850.
The most important of the presents are a collection of Egyptian
antiquities, including the sarcophagus of Mycerinus, presented by
Colonel Vise in 1838 ; some casts of Egyptian and Nubian bas-
reliefs by Mr. Hay in 1840; and a colossal kneeling figure in
black basalt by Mr. Fletcher in 1844.
The Egyptian department now constitutes in every respect the
most valuable collection of this kind in Europe.
At the two sides of the entrance are two lions couchant (No. 1
and 34 of the Catalogue), the worthy guardians of this Egyptian
sanctuary; they belong to the 18th dynasty, when the sculpture of
Egypt had attained its greatest perfection ; they are wrought in the
granite which the Italians, from the red colour of the felspar, call
corallino, and are perfect models of architectonic sculpture. The
action is true to nature, and yet at the same time admirably cor-
responds with the severe rectilinear, architectonic style of Egyptian
art. AH the principal proportions are correct; the forms very much
simplified, according to a certain rule; at the same time, with a
fine feeling for what is most characteristic in nature, everything is
retained which expresses the grandeur of the lion. Add to this the
greatest sharpness and precision in the working of the hard stone,
the most beautiful and durable polish of the surface, and you have
before you the chief elements of that grandeur of effect which
characterises the best specimens of Egyptian sculpture. The lions,
formerly before one of the gates of a temple at Mount Barkal,
were presented by Lord Prudhoe, now Duke of Northumberland,
in 1835. In England alone are such truly princely presents made
by private individuals to public institutions. If it is said that this
is possible only with English money, I must add, also only with
English public spirit and with English intellectual superiority,
which are capable of feeling the importance of such works. When
I stood between the two lines in which the principal colossal monu-
ments are ranged in the lofty hall, which is lighted on both sides,
I felt in full force that elevated and solemn impression which these
gigantic objects inspire, and vividly realised the powerful influence