A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities Part 76

[Sidenote: =814.=]

Votive tablet in commemoration of a victory in the chariot race. A draped charioteer drives a chariot, drawn by four horses, which move to the left in spirited action. Over them floats in the air a winged Victory extending a wreath, now wanting, towards the charioteer. The left side of the relief and the lower edge have been broken away. The missing portion on the left probably contained a figure running in front of the chariot, as the end of a staff and traces of the hand which grasped it, appear at the edge of the slab. The charioteer wears a tunic girt at the waist; a scarf pa.s.sing round the back of the head bellies out with the wind, while the ends, drawn back under the arms, float behind.

This figure appears to be female, and in that case would doubtless be a personification, possibly of the city to which the victorious charioteer belonged. A similar votive tablet mounted on a pilaster is shown outside a house or temple in the composition representing the visit of Dionysos to Icarios, in the third Graeco-Roman Gallery (_Guide to Graeco-Roman Sculptures_, Pt. I., No. 176), and such commemorative tablets were often dedicated by Agonistic Victors.

Compare a fragmentary relief at Athens, on which a horse is crowned by Victory. (Schone, _Griechische Reliefs_, pl. 18, fig. 80.)--_From Consul Logothetis' house at Athens._ _Elgin Coll._

Pentelic marble; present height, 2 feet 3-1/2 inches; width, 2 feet 8 inches. _Mus. Marbles_, IX., pl. 38, fig. 2; Ellis, _Elgin Marbles_, II., p. 126; _Synopsis_, No. 197 (236).

[Sidenote: =815.=]

Fragment of a relief, perhaps a votive tablet in commemoration of a chariot race. Four heads of horses in rapid movement to the right; the head of the foremost horse has been held by a figure, of which the right hand only remains.

Marble; height, 11-1/2 inches; width, 1 foot 1 inch. _Guide to Graeco-Roman Sculptures_, Part II., No. 47.

[Sidenote: =816.=]

Votive relief. Hecate stands, turned to the left, with a large torch in her left hand. With the right hand she places a wreath on the head of a mare standing before her. She wears a chiton, confined by bands crossing on the breast, such as are common on figures of charioteers, Furies, and others. Behind her is a large dog. The relief is surmounted by a large pediment. This relief appears to have been dedicated by the owner of a successful horse.--_Crannon in Thessaly._ _Presented by Col. Leake, 1839._

White marble, with remains of blue paint on the ground; height, 1 foot 3-1/2 inches; width, 1 foot 11 inches. Millingen, _Anc.

Uned. Monuments_, II., pl. 16, fig. 1. Compare a relief at Athens, Schone, _Griechische Reliefs_, pl. 26, fig. 108.

[Sidenote: =817.=]

Votive relief with three figures standing to the front. On the right is Apollo wearing the dress of a minstrel, having a long chiton girt at the waist, and a himation. He holds out a phiale in his right hand. On the right is an omphalos, about which a snake is coiled. The central figure, who is bearded, wears the dress of Dionysos with short tunic, high boots, and a himation closely confined. He has a torch in the left hand and holds out a phiale in the right hand. On the left is a figure of Zeus, with a phiale held out in the right hand, and a sceptre in the left hand. The relief is bounded by two pilasters surmounted by an entablature and pediment.

Below is a group of six male figures reclining, who are sketched out in low relief. Before them are four figures: (_a_) on the left a comic figure seated, playing on double flutes, and beating time with a _kroupezion_ or scabellum; (_b_) a nude female figure dancing; (_c_) a comic figure running, wearing a Phrygian cap, and having a pair of double flutes in each hand; (_d_) on the right, a figure with an oinochoe in each hand drawing wine from a large vessel.

Inscribed: [Greek: Di hypsisto k(ai) to ch(o)ro Thallos eponymos ton telamona apedoka]. The relief ([Greek: telamon]) appears to have been dedicated by a successful dramatic poet, Thallos, who gave his name to the fete.--_Cyzicus._ _Presented by A. van Branteghem, Esq._

Marble; height, 3 feet 1-1/2 inches; width, 1 foot 10 inches.

_Rev. Arch._, 1891, p. 10, No. 1. Compare a relief now at Athens, from Nicaea, in Conze, _Reise auf der Insel Lesbos_, pl. 19; Luders, _Dionys. Kunstler_, pl. 2.