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SALAMIS IN THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS.
BY ALEXANDER PALMA DI CESNOLÀ, F.S.A.,
page 116

upon the shoulder between the handles, adorned with chevrons and small chequered squares. It is 4 ft. 2 in. high. The details of the neck of the vase are given in fig. 269. I give here some examples of the geometrical details found upon corresponding parts of other large vases in the Lawrence-Cesnola collection. These comprise chequer patterns, lotus or other flowers, wheel-shaped circles (fig. 270), with spokes or radii, zigzags, wavy lines or chevrons, and a peculiar tear like thickening on themiddle of a black line, as seen on the left hand side of the last example (fig. 271). The collection contains a good number of these large vessels. The kind of vases shown in figs. 266, 267, are always found inside tombs, full of bones. I think that in ancient times the owners of the tombs prepared for new arrivals by preserving the bones of previous occupants of the tombs in these vases. Two or more of these vases have been found in one tomb. Fig. 266, with the Greek inscription, I think probably more ancient than the inscription, through the inscription not being burnt in when the vase was made; or possiblythe vase was made in the ancient shape in the time of Arsinoe, and this is rather confirmed by its bright colours and perfect state of preservation, which is different to fig. 267; that appears much older. In Cyprus, at the present day, there are vases of ancient shape in common use, particularly water jugs, which have two little reliefs in form like the female bosom, and tradition says that it represents the bosom of Venus. Mylearned 'friend Mr. D. Piérides is of the same idea. It is only another instance of the survival ofancient types. A four-handled stamnos, jar, or urn (fig. 273) of this style, with two narrow bands or rings, and one of wider dimensions, is elegantly painted with four palm trees in a natural manner that is very remarkable. This vase has an ivy leaf on the shoulder within the area of each handle, and a circular lid with a hole in it, and a knob-shaped handle to it. On the knob are six Cypriote characters. It is 2 ft. 6 in. high.
Dr. S. Birch, to whom I submitted the fragment of an early painted vase here figured (No. 274), has kindly given me the following account of it:—" The wood-cut shews a fragment of a vase found in Cyprus, apparently of an amphora, of the style called Tyrrhenian, from the supposition that the vases on which it occurs Avere peculiar to Italy. They were either a development of the archaic style, or else an imitation of it. The figures are distinguished by their pointed nose and chin, strong development of body, with less marked development of limbs. The figures are painted black on a red-ground, and the subject is placed in a panel ornamented at the sides with a border. The subject of this vase, as far as the fragment goes, is the arming of a hero, probably Achilles, in the presence of a female, either Thetis or Athene. He has placed one greave on his right leg and is attaching the other to the left leg. At his feet is an Argolic buckler, and a crested or Carian helmet. The figure standing in front is draped in a talaric tunic and girdle, and, from the size of the breast, is apparently Athene wearing the segis, and with a helmet on the head. Behind Achilles stands a youthful figure draped in a tunic and peplos, holding a lance, but not with long hair, probably an attendant. Parts of two naked youths are also to be observed in the scene. The inscriptions with which this class of vases is decorated have no meaning, and are rather imitations of Greek letters by ignorant potters than real inscriptions; just as the art is an affected archaism introduced in imitation of the figures of so-called Corinthian vases. The age of these vases does not appear to exceed

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