Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-22

scene. The fifth sarcophagus mot II
Lycian form is equally vel, sculptureC
with Assyrian subjects.
The sixth represent a Greek Ionic
temple with anita, but with three quarter
columns only betwecnthe two ante, anC
three quarter columns to the sides Be
/ tween each two columns or ante IS fe
male figure showing signs OF deep at
/ Fiction. In all there are eighteen of tht
statues. The temple rests on a stylobatc,
having fnely-molded base and surbase
/ the dado being enriched with figures
/ partly sculptured aud partly painted. The
/ cover represents the roof of temple,
and in the pedimcnt mt each end is q
/ fine group Of sculpture As a curious
variation from the temple form, there is
along each side, surmountingthec ornice.
tablet, on which is carved "a funeral
procession. Such adccoratiye feature is
not unusualin sarcophagi of late date, one
such being in the British Museum, but
can call 90 mind 10 example of such a
feature surmountiug the cymatium in
any temple.
All the above sarcOphagi show large
remains of colored decoration, and, as
described to me, confirm Hittortf theO-
RES as given in bis work on Sicily.
The seventh sarcophagus is the grand
est of all. 1t is ont Of one block Of
white marble, about eleven feet long,
with COPIED and pedimented cover,
and having no columnar decoration, but
with an enriched cornice and base, the
panels between these, on each side, be-
ing flied with sculptures OF marvellously
fine execution. On two Of the sides the
subject is the chase. On the other two
are represented combats between war
riors both on horse and foot. One
prominent figure reminded Hamdi Bey
Of that of Darius in the famous Mosaic
from Pompcii, (aud having seen this re-
Gently, quite agree with him. and GER
tain characteristics on another OF the
principal figures induce him to assign it
to Alexander,
In any case there can scarcely be a
doubt that the sculptures represent a
battle between Greeks and Persians.
and most probably between Darius and
Alexander. The cover of this magnih-
cent tomb is of the ordinary COPIED form,
but is enriched with rows OF heads on
the caves line and on the ridge-a very
unusual style OF finish, bat which may
be seen partly carried ont on a small
scale on one of the Greek sarcophagi
figured in Sir c. Fellows "Asia Minor"
At each end of the caves is lion. This
also reminds one Of the lions heads and
fore paws sculptured in the roof OF
another Lycian tomb, figured III the
same work.
The architectural details OF all these
sarcophagi. SO far as | can Judge from
the photographs, ere of the Greek type
of the best period, without "A trace of
Roman influence, and the sculpture APP
pears to be of the highest class. It Is
altogether different from the bold style
of the Pergamus sculpture, and much
more nearly resembles the beautifully
delicate carving of the Parthenon freize,
of which the horses, the figures, and the
draperv Of the Sidon monument strongly
remind one.
Hamdi Bey thinks that it is probably
by Lysippus or bis school but as to
this only some one specially qualified by
a study Of ancient examples (and such a
one no doubt he will consult could give
a definite opinion. He will have to de-
termine, to begin with, whether the
sculpture is the product of an artist ac-
to work IN marble or whether
il is not that Of one accustomed 10 work
in bronze. / can only venture to sug-
gest from certain details, that the latter
Is the case.
But it is not only by the sculpture that
this monument has been adorned. 1t has
been so, in the most careful and artistic
way, with cOlorIng, which was land
trust still Isl in a perfect state of pre-
5ervation. and producing charming ef-
Of the different reds. puppies,
yiolets, &C., being put on III various tints
aud gradatiOns with great delicacy, gold
bring spanngly applied and with great
Judgment. The spears. &C.. are of
broaze. The flesh OF the figures is not
colored.
TO show thecare which has been taken
with this decoration, may mention that !
tue portions Of marble which have been |
eft unlimited have been treated in three |
different wsy-yiz.. o. by the ordinary |
finish, t2l by being slightly rcughened, |
and (3) by an exquisitely finished surface |
such as one finds in the finest Greek |
sculpture.
As to the date of all these works, ex-
,ept the one with the well-kDown Phoe-
lician sarcophagus to which | allude
Jelow), there is no guide whatever be- !
Tond what the sculptures tell The alb
ence Of any inscription is not surprising, |
nasmuch as very few of the scul ptured !
(chiely Greco Roman left
o us are inscribed, and have Hamdi
}ey's authority for saying that there is
lot line, not a word which could give
clue to the date, nor anything definite
s to the persons for whom these splen-
lidly-adorned tombs were made.
How WAS it that a great sepulchre
honld have been hewn fifty feet deep in
he solid rock, chambers carved out from
/. these immense blocks OF the finest
marble brought from Greece, carved by
be best Greek sculptors, painted lit
1ould SEEM by the best Greek artists,
nd then lowered into their resting places
D times of no great antiquity, and yet
ot a single record of any kiud be left to
i've a clue to the names of those for
Ihom such great works we're done Pos
IDLY in the careful study which Hamdi
Iey is giving to the subject this question
lay receive an answer.
IL will be months before the sar-
ophsg can be seen by any one, as it
Tould he highly dangerous to expose
hem, however slightly, to the dust and
amp OF Consiantinople winter, as
,ouId be the case il they were uncov-
red before being placed in the building
og being erected for their reception
o preserve their coloring during their