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XXI.—On some Antique Gold and other Finger Rings found at Palestrina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2012

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Extract

Shortly before the close of the year 1868 some excavations were undertaken in the neighbourhood of the ancient Præneste of the Sabine Equi, now Palestrina, by private speculators, who had the good fortune to find a sarcophagus, containing some objects of great interest and artistic excellence. Among these were three Etruscan specchi, or mirrors, which are figured in the Monumenti inediti dell' Instituto di Correspondenza Archeologica, vol. ix. plate vii., and are further described by Dr. H. Heydemann, in the Annali of that Society, at page 193 of the volume for 1869.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 1874

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References

page 353 note a This same tomb also yielded, as I am informed, a large cista of wood, with bronze feet formed as sphynxes, and handle on the lid modelled as a group of three armed warriors; another, a small bronze rista offineworkmanship, ornamented with centaurs, &c; a mirror of remarkable beauty and size, having a ligure of Bacchus on a leopard, in rilievo, of admirable art; also one of cast metal with a figure of Leda i n relief, and some other less important objects.

page 356 note a , Jahn, Telephos und Troilos. Kiel, 1841Google Scholar. , Overbeck, Sagenkr. 13, 6, 11, &cGoogle Scholar.

page 356 note b , Henzen, Bull, dell' Inst. 1869, p. 15Google Scholar.

page 357 note a , Müller, Alt. Kunst. p. 39, fig. 440Google Scholar.

page 357 note b Hygin. Fab. 132–242. Serv. ad Aen. iii. 14.

page 360 note a The British Museum possesses four such rings, all of which are solid. One is of similar size to my No. 5, and with a like edging. The subject is an undraped man and woman embracing; it is much rubbed by wear. Another, smaller than any described in this paper, represents a warrior, wearing a cuirass, and with shield and drawn sword; he is looking over the right shoulder.

A third, also small, has a flying figure of Victory with the palm-branch, of excellent workmanship, in relief. The fourth is a small ring of great elegance and artistic merit. The subject is a nude male figure holding an oinochoe in the right hand and a patera (?) in the left; perhaps intended for Ganymede.

The Castellani collection has only one ring of this type. It is hollow and much battered, and the workmanship less excellent. The subject is a satyr, whose legs are doubled back.

There are four rings of similar type in the Louvre (Campana Coll.); three are hollow without any silver cores. On two of them the subject of a young man seated with a draped female in his lap, or on his knee, is represented. The third has for subject a male and a female figure, both draped, standing and looking towards each other in seeming converse; he holds a sword—perhaps the parting of a warrior and his wife—Hector and Andromache? The fourth is solid, of similar execution to my No. 6; the subject Mercury wearing a chlamys, the caduceus at his side; he is reposing, his head resting on a lion's skin.

In the Etruscan Museum at Florence is also one: a man seated, a female at his side or on his knee.

All would seem to be approximately of the same period, and to have originated from the same locality.

page 362 note a Pausanias says:—“Πτερύ δέ ἓχον οὓτε τούτο το ὤγαλμα Νεμέσεωδ, οἂλλο ΠεΠοίηντμι τών άρχαίων”.

page 362 note b , Hirt, Mythol. Bilderb. p. 97, &cGoogle Scholar .