Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-09
OLD ROME AND NEW.
some Recent discoveries OF Ancient
Art and some Notable Specimens
or Modern W0rkmaushfp-
African Handiwork
in Gold and
RfIvar
Correspondence New York Evening Post.I

Correspondence New York Evening Post.I
ROME, ITALY, April 21.-Iu the course of
excavations made during the last few weeks
at the Palatine, at the Portico of Ottawa and
in the Piazza di Petra, some interesting
archaeological discoveries have been made.
The excavations at the Paatine are in that
part which lies between the house of
Augustus, itself not yet explored, and the
edihces built by Septimius Severus. The ex-
cavations at this point have been exceeding
ly fruitful. In less than two weeks they
yielded, beside many fragments of trunks or
columns In red and black granite, In clpolll-
no and other marbles, many capitals, cornlces
and bases of columns, and some statues. The
most perfect and beautiful of these Is te-
male statue, semi-colossal in size, and unfor-
tunately without the head and arms. 1t Is
thought to be one of the best
works of art found for several years
in the excavations of Rome. 1t is of the time
of the Emperor Hadran, and is designed
and finished with wonderful skill. 1t repre-
sents woman, probably an empress, whose
attitude suggests that OF the statue found at
Ostia, and restored with the attributes of the
goddess Ceres, which Is now number eighty
three In the Braecio Nuovo of the Vatican.
The statue of the Pa;atine Is dressed In
long tunic, that falls almost TO the feet IN
many folds, so skillfully and carefully wrought
that the beautiful form within is almost dis
cernible The upper part of the neck Is ex-
posed and the ends Of her long curls falling
on the bosom are seen. The statue remains
for the present in small room beneath the
imperial loggis, upon the walls OF which are
still visible the ancient frescoes. The archRol
| ogists who are directing these excavations
hope to find the head. and arms, and COM
! plete this work of ancient art. AT the same
place were found the lower part OF statue
representing a man wearing the toys, and
the base and feet Of another which seems to
have been made by the same artist who
sculptured the semi colossal goddess. A
square altar, with figures in high relief on
the four sides, was also discovered. But ali
the wonder and beauty of Rome is not under
ground as any one will see who visits the
marvellous collection of Jewels OF Au.
gusto Castellani whose beautiful studio Of
antique art looks out upon the fountain of
Trevi. | went there the other day, and after
an hour and half among these treasures Of
the mines and of the ocean, came away to
dream of them. Diamonds, rubies, pearls,
emeralds and jasper and onyx were COM
bined together, or carved from the antique
designs with skill to tempt the purses OF
queens and princesses. The artist showed US
a magnificent set of turquoises and gold
which he said Queen Margaret admired very
much | saw there Visoonti Venosta, the ex-
minister of foreign affairs, who was buying
locket for his wife, the niece of Cavour and
the descen ,'ant of Alferi. Signora Seismit-
Doda, the wife of the minister of finances,
was also there, but although her husband
now fills one of the highest offices In Italy,
she is not rich; she di not buy the blue neck
lace for her IA daughter. The specimens OF
his art which Castellanl will send to Paris
are now prepared, but as they are OF great
value, he will not send them until the eXhl-
bition is opened. They consist OF small
glass case, yard square, divided into four
Compartments; of a helmet in aluminium and
gold, and a vouve crown. Church and state
stand side by side, represented by the king
helmet and the ornament for church. TIE
helmet was begun year ago for Victor
Emmanuel, and every workman In the estab-
lishment has made some part OF it. The
form is that of the Greek helmet,
the most elegant and convent
emf, and the body is made of aluminium,
which is lighter than silver. The ornaments
are all of fine gold, exqisitely wrought into
various symbolic forms. A crown Of oak
leaves, modelled after the ancient patterns
found in the tombs of warriors, is arranged on
the front; above this are the star of Italy and
the cross of the house of Savoy; and farther
back is the Roman eagle, about three inches
high. The crest is of gold, but, although it
is a beautiful jewel, it Is almost covered by
the long white plumes that fall over 1t. The
votIve crown is copy of those which the
kings of tie middle ages appended to the
sanctuaries. Their use extended from the
sixth to the twelfth century, and several spec
linens of them may be seen at Mona, uear |
Milan, and at the Cluny museum, in Paris.
The one which Castellani sends to the exhibi
ton is in the most perfect Byzantine style, |
and its elegance of design is only surpassed |
by the fineness of its execution. The crown, |
which is an ornamental gold band, is
attached by chains of gold to a hook above, |
so that it may be suspended. 1t is ornament
ed with black pearls and rubies, and hanging |
below it is d black pearl as large as walnut. |
Jewels and ornaments of a different charac- I
ter, but not less surprising from their unex.
pected perfection, have been sent to King |
Humbert from the king of Scioa, in |
Africa, by the hands of the ex-
p!orers who have been sent thither |
by the geographical society. The king has |
presented them to the ethnographical mu-
scum, which is In process of formation in the |
Collegio Romano, under the care of the |
learned and eloquent Professor Luigi Pigo- |
RIM. The bracelet sent by King Menehk is a |
wonderful production to come out OF the heart |
of Africa. 1t is one of silver, and fifteen
centimeters wide. 1t is ornamented with |
gold, studs of silver and 6ligree roses, with |
red glass set In. A silver belt, with places
for cartridges, ornamented with fligree work |
and red glass, is not less beautiful upon the
bracelet. Two complete sets of trappings
fol- horses are richly ornamented with curious
figures in silver gilt. The ground Of one of
these covers for the kings mule is blue vel
vet, and fringe of fine chains and small sill
yer bells surrounds it, which, when the ami
NAL moves, produce a tinkling music. The
other trapping is of red leather. and instead
of the flagree work is substituted green
leather with holes cut in it, through which
are seen plates of gold. Two rich collars for
mules, one of brass and the other OF silver,
and two mantles of leopard and panther
skins, form part of the gift These objects
will give new notion Of the cultivation of
those people. s.B.