New-York tribune., 1873-01-14
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
rur METROPOLITAN MUSEUM.

ARRIVAL OF THE CEsNoLA COLLECTION OF
PHGNICIAN ANTIQUITIES.
The greater portion of the magnificent col
lection OF Pheniean antiquities discovered at Cyprus
by Gen. L. r. de Cesnola u g. Consul at that Pface mas
arrived and the few remaining pieces are on the way
and will soon be placed exhibition reporter OF
THE TRIBUNE called upon Gen, dc Cesnois' VINO is at
present this city and obtained from HIM the FOLLOWING
facts In regard to the collection.
II contains no less than pieces illustrative OF the
history Of art religion and In the Island OF cyprus
These archaeological treasures, obtained from the stes
Of the temple Of Gogos and the tombs OF Idaum con
sist OF statues bronzes heads, vases, gold ornaments
basreliefs, Inscriptions vessels OF iridescent eass
earthenware lamps infants feeding bottes the charotS
donkeys and figures OF procession, rudey modelled IN
clay Jars and vases varying In size and ornaInenteu
with archaic patterns In black and red, and many other
objects The statues, &C. executed, not IN maioe'
but in calcareous stone common In the island OF
Cyprus They discovered IN the temple at Golgos
ranged on pedestas against the walls or In rows down
the middle The great majority OF them represent either
figures OF the god Herakcs for Hercules In one form OF
another else figures Of priests OF Aphrodlte Inc
fresh look OF the statues and reefs their perfect cond
ton color and outline surprising when 1t Is con-
sdered bow long the figures must have lain buried The
SOIL however from which they taken is dry one
and one sngularly favorable TO their preservation
Considered simply works OF art they arebn general
entitled TO very high rank, yet some of tue figures
show great Skill noticeable feature Of the statues Is
they represent the type Of counenance peculiar to
the natives OF Cyprus this day. The large eyes,
high cheeks straight nose the projecting rounded chn
and full lips Of the Cypriote OF to-day are accurately
displayed in these figures. The antiquities from the
Idaum tombs comprise several thousand smaller
Objects Eminent British antiquarans divided to
the date of the collection placing IL at 1900 others
b. c. or their high antiquity, however. there can
be doubt and praise is awarded 10 the Trustees
OF Metropolitan Museum OF Art obtaining these
antiquarian treasures for the City OF New-York The
existence and value OF the collection were first made
known TO this country by Hiram Hitchcock, to whom
Gen. de CesnOla had consigned CO boxes OF these
antiquities for the purpose Of exposing them to public
sight in this city, hoping that they would be purchased
by institution OF his native land This portion OF
the collection contained several thousand coins ana
engraved gems as well as quantity OF and other
small articles. They were shipped from cyprus IN Juhe,
1872 on board the Napred vessel owned by Boston
firm The ship caught fire at sea, however, ana INC
collection was lost.
Gen. Cesnola then proceeded from Cyprus TO Lon
don, bringing portion Of his collection with him Whle
there, offers made to him by the British Museum,
but this institution refused 10 agree 70 MS spuaoh
that the collection should he kept entire, and should IN
his honor bear the name OF the "Cesnoa C0necuon,
negotiations were broken of While the British Museum
was acting John TAYLOR John OF this city, one OF
the Trustees OF the Metropolitan Museum OF Art, pro-
posed in behalf Of that Museum 10 purchase them Ior
10000 gold agreeing also 10 the stipulation to the
name they should bear. This offer was accepted ana
$4,000 OF the purchase money has already been PAID ana
the remainder will be paid within Two years Altogether
about boxes have been sent TO this country ana
will be forwarded Immediately. Tue British Mu-
scum requested the privilege, which was granted,
OF taking casts copies Of all the inscriptions, and photo
graphs OF the most important statues. The Lang col
lection OF Cyprian antiquities upon which the nsttu
which there is only one statuette entire The reader
will idea Of the bulk OF the Cesnoa collection
when stated that it took Gen. de Cesnoa with eight
professional packers weeks 10 pack only tue pOr-
ton which in London. Gen. Cesnola Will soon re-
turn to Cyprus and announces his intention OF making
further