|
DESCRIPTION OF THE TAIL-PIECES. 433
" ossea larva" its
former occupant, startled at the hateful light, is casting himself
headlong out of the vessel. If a conjecture may be hazarded as to the
meaning of this truly mystic design, based upon the well-known fact of
the introduction of the skeleton at the ancient banquet, it may be
considered as equivalent to the Epicurean device of Pardalas (Stosch's
' Gems '), two lovers, with the motto, " Drink, enjoy thyself, love :
thou must die, Pardalas ! and thy time is short." Roman. Onyx.
P.
398.—Apollo Agyieus presenting his bow in token of amity. This is a
favourite type on the coinage of the Seleucidœ, the god being the
reputed founder of their line ; and taking into account the beauty of
the work and the value of the stone at that epoch, it is not
unwarrantable to see here the actual signet of one of the early kings
of Syria. Greek of the best period. Peridot, remarkably lustrous.
P. 428.—Child's head in front-face. Ror some unexplained reason such faces, especially in cameo (worn for phalerœ), were
esteemed most effectual amulets. Some of them are indicated by the
single tress on the forehead as representing the boy-god Horus ; but
many, like the present, have a character of individuality, evidently
bespeaking them portraits from the life of some darling infant. The
legend " of Tychias " declares the father of the original, and the
owner of the signet. Roman. Sard, dark-red.
P.
433.—Cupid guiding a dolphin by the sound of his flute : his brother,
floating in the air overhead, holds up by the tail a second dolphin,
thus extemporising a natural sail. Roman. Red Jasper.
P. 442.—Sphinx seated. The same type as that on the coins of Chios. Early Greek. Black Jasper.
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||