Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-14
REMARKABLY FINE M0SAlcs.
Lately Found al Pompeii and civiia One a
Woman's Portrait.

In, that city of the first century, which
the eruption Of Vcsuvlus depopulated ana
preserved to our day, that is 70 say,
pompeii. another remarkable find II re-
corded In the excavations that are pc
ing carried on in block No. y. or Isoid
Xxx near to the famous house or the
Vettf family. Domus Vettiorum. a very
rarely wrought mosaic in admirable pres
ervation has been brought TO iight. ~ y
rectangular in form, measuring ap0RL
eight nv seven inches. and repfeSepts xNe
bust of female figure OF mucn nsaRkyt
THE portrait Is that of hands0mc -
man OF about 80 years of age, WIN 4er
hair arranged in tiny curls over her iOrt-
boad-a sort of very curly friZzes, --and
on her neck collar or pearls idstemei
IN me center with gold brooch. The
fine shading OF one color into anotner -
such as 10 lead the observer at first siSnI
10 imagine he is looking upon an Oh
paintIng rather than picture MADE o.
euch materials as mosaic. Artists ana
antiouarians regard the new finding as
very important for the history OF art IN
the first century Of the Christian era.
Another mosaic. founa in the vicinity OF
Pompeii at a place called clvita, rev
months ago is perhaps still more inter-
esting. In the account of its discovery
we learn that after the famous fnding OF
silver objects in the vicinity of Boseor-
eaeI the passion for digging up fields IN
search OF antique treasure took possess
sion of all the owners of land in the VI
cinity of Vesuvius. AMI applications Tor
nermjSsion to eXcdVate poured INTO the
office of the directors of museums ana ex-
cayations from all the landed proprietors
around Among others who sought after
hidden antiques was Nine. Guidltta Ma
succi d'Aquino of Tore Annunziata, at
tho foot of yesuyius towards the sea aft
er two months eager digging very
valua BILE and important mosaic OF very
fine workmanship was brought 10 light
It Is about "a inches square, and Prof.
Antonio Sogliano. inspector OF excava-
tons. considers that this beautiful work
was set in the pavement of some ricn
villa The picture il presents Is framed in
a lovely garland of fruit, flowers and
tragic masks sKillfully intertwlned- There
are seven figures represented. arrayed in
fun flowing robes Of different coiors, five
seated and two standing. The walls and
towers of n city occupy portion of the
distance show the columns of tempe
and great tree, beneath the shadow of
which some Of the figures are seated.
The picture has been termed the school
Of Plato" Prof. Sogliano considers that
! it is undoubtedly n representation OF
meeting Of philosophers or thinkers; but
he reserves at present any opinion as 70
who they are. as the determination of
that will require much study. Common
datore De Petra. director Of the national
museum OF Naples. has purchased this
mosaic for the state at 4 cost of 1908
francs or $1,000. The silver objects
Italy 70 other lands, as also have the
Tarcnto vases found in the lands of Sig
nor Cacase: but this mosaic-the most
important find OF the las: % ycars-has
been saved to the counry.-Rome Letter
In Boston Pilot.