226	NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
	dragon-borne car, three votaresses with their offerings, and the exergue filled up with masks and other Bacchic symbols. The style indicates, in the opinion of the most competent judges, the age of the Antonines, the middle of the second century. It has been tastefully fitted in the Cinque-cento mode, with a base and spout to convert it into a rose-water ewer, according to the usage of that period. It had long adorned the noble Gonzagu Gallery at Mantua, until, in the lamentable four days' sack of that city by the Imperialists in 1629, it fell into the hands of Fr. Albert, Duke of Saxony, one of the captains of the German robbers. The value formerly set upon it was 150,000 thalers, half which amount is said to have been frequently offered for it to its then possessor. The Duke's widow, Christina Margaretha of Mecklenburgh, left it to her sister, Sophia of Brunswick, whence its present appellation. At Berlin is the " Beutisch Vase," the subject upon which Sillig interprets as commemo­rating the birth of Augustus ; but Hirt, on better grounds, that of Commodus. Into the Eussian Cabinet has found its way the very elegant one, formerly belonging to Caylus, and fully described by him (Eec. II. pi. 76). In shape it resembles the Portland, and is sculptured with two groups —Apollo seated, Cupid, and Psyche bound ; and Amorini chasing butterflies. Its height is three inches ; its material an Agate of three strata. The Vienna Cabinet possesses another alahastron, similar in shape to the Mantuan, covered with reliefs of masks and Bacchic ornaments ; but bearing for dedicatory inscription, a verse of Anacreon's, showing it to have been made for a present to a lady of pleasure: " Ziyaais b/ àyaôoîs, ößëç yàp tl Revois, ïaxxov ä« /x€ äéøþéô» ðÀÀÀí. Other alabastra in Onyx, though unadorned with camei, were long treasured in the French cathedrals, and devoted to their original purpose of holding (the consecrated) oil.