The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-10

The National Museum has received a
cast of the celebrated Golden Patera OF
Rennes," a wonderful example OF the
goldsmiths art during the palmy days OF
ancient Rome. The finding of the original
patera, its description and specuiations
concerning the date of its manufacture,
and its original purpose, have been de-
tailed by Prof. Thomas Wilson, of the
Smithsonian Institution, in paper which
he has written upon the subject. Profes-
sor Wilson thus describes the finding Of
the antique:
ION the 26th of March, 17I4, the city
of Rennes. in the ancient province of Brit
tany, northwestern France. was thrown
into great excitement over the discovery
of a golden treasure by the masons en-
gagged in the demolition (for reconstruc-
tion) of one of the chapter houses OF the
cathedral. The able took the objects to
what in the United States corresponds to
the subtreasury of the Government. from
which he received the following certifi-
cate:
~, the undersigned, money changer
for the King of Rennes. certify that there
has been presented to me at the close of
la Croix. cannon syndic of the church at
Rennes. round plate of gold, ornamented
with figures in relief and several golden
pieces of Roman money incrusted. three
chains of gold and ninety-four pieces OF
Roman money in gold; all of which OBJ
jects appear to be of the fneness of about
twenty three carats. and which / find to
weigh together eight mares (eight ounces
troy, three ounces six gros and a halt
tSigned) SOLlER.
"A contest arose over the right of pos
session. but was terminated by the church
authorities presenting the treasure entire
to King Louis Nv. By whom it was
deposited in the Cabinet of Medals and
Antiques at Paris.
THE treasure was found at depth of
five feet from the surface. in earth which
had been filled, in ancient times, to
depth of two feet below the treasure. 1t
was two or three feet outside the wall OF
the house being demolished, and which
itself was of ancient date. grave with
human bones (Which fell to dust and
were not saved was found enc and half
feet distant from. and three and half
feet deeper than. the spot occupied by the
treasure. The objects were piled together,
the patera horizontal the enblema in
place. and the chains and moneys placed
thereon. They were without enclosure or
INSCRIPTION OF any KIND
THE color Of the patera is that OF our
modern gold coin. Long contact with the
earth had net furnished it beyond the pow
er of soap and water to renew by washing
The diameter of the patera is 10 inches,
of the enblema or interior 6 inches. Its
height is i 1-2 inches, and weight i kilo-
gram 315.50 grams, or AZ troy ounces; gold,
% carats fine.
THE patera is composed of two parts.
the embiema, or bottom, on which is en-
graved the NEUROLOGICAL subject, and the
rim surrounding the emblema and form
ing the frame in which it is set. These
are separate pieces and can be taken apart
THE emblema and the rim are not the
same kind of work. and probably were
not made by the same person. The for
mer was the work of an artist-a designer.
sculptor. and worker in the precious
metals. while the latter was or may have
been, the production of a mere handwork
er. 1t has been contended, with reason,
that there might have been artists or even
establishments at great centres which
made this kind Of work and sold it to the
gold or siiversmiths elsewhere throughout
the country or the world. to be finished
with the added rim on demand Of the prop
er customer.
THE emblema of the patera of Rennes is
gold. first cast. then by hammering, CHS
cling, craving. and Furnishing, the fig
ures are brought into high relief. and SO
finished as to give expression to its sub
ject.
The subject represented is a contest
between Bacchus and Hercules to decide
which can drink the most wine. Or. as
Chabonillet says, il is an allegorical COM
position, showing the triumph of wine
over strength. Such contests were COM
mon enough in ancient times. Millin. in
his note on the subject. cites the ancient
authors Horace. Martial ETC.. and says
the combatants were challenged to drink |
nine cups in honor of the MUSES. and three |
in honor OF the Graces. Sometimes the |
number OF CUPS was determined by the |
number of letters in the name of the /
friend in whose honor they drank; some |
timessby their fingers, other times accord /
ing TO the pride or capacity of the chal-
lenger. but always by some means to in |
crease the quantity TO be consumed
Such contests are not unknown in mod |
ern times. German authorities are cred |
ited with having such a custom among !
their students. and the late Prince Bis |
marck has been cited as an illustrious and
successful example in such contests.
Burns describes contest of This kind
wherein whistle was the prize, and the !
well-known Scotch drinking song says OF
such bout:
VIA first shall rise to sing ava.
A ciickold coward loon is he;
VIA last beside his chsir shall IA.
He shall he king aniang three
1.-THE moment chosen by the artist for |
his representation of the scene is when |
the two combatants have just emptied |
their cups, and it-is evident from the cp- /
pearance of the god of strength that he |
is defeated His eve is leaden his head |
droops, he has dropped his club, and his !
left hand is reached out to the rock on !
which he sits to support his staggering, |
swaying body His right hand still holds, I
as it were, mechanically the cup which |
he has just emptied, or perhaps only par
tally emptied. Inebriety is apparent in I
every lineament Not SO his opponent. |
Bacchus is seated firm and erect. His left |
arm encircles his thyrsus, while his right
hand holds aloft the rhyston. or cup in the
form of poppy. with its long stem turned /
upside down. to show that he has emp
tied it.
"It was required that the cup should be
emptied at single draft. He who fai,eI
IN this was out of the combat at once. 1t
was considered sign of great prowess to
be able TO pour the wine into the mouth
and drink without allowing the lips to
tuch the cup. He who could thus empty
the cup stood first chance to be King
among us three Bacchus is crowned wi b
ivy and vine leaves. and at his feet is
his panther.
There are six spectators to the contest
Among them are Pan with his pipes: ST.
ienus. and player on the double flute
The other three are Bacchantes. This
scene occupies the centrefof the emblema.
and is three and a half inches in diameter.
'sEncircling II is the border, one ard