Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 1.djvu/83

Bronzes, Statuettes, Votive Boats. 65 of his day's sport are two heads of game, which peep out of the said pouch. Caylus believed these animals to be rabbits, and his drawing- recalls beyond what is legitimate the impression thus received. 1 The execution of this exemplar, however, is so rude throughout as to make the reading of it difficult in the extreme. But were we required to give an opinion, we should say that the unskilful artist aimed at representing volatiles. 2 Nor should the dress be passed over without notice ; it consists of a short tunic reaching above the knee, over which is worn a thick, heavily bordered cape, perhaps the national " mastruca," 3 made of sheep's skins. The fur was worn next to the body for warmth, as is practised by the native peasantry at the present day. The absence of shoes on Sardinian statu- ettes affords matter for surprise ; for it is difficult to understand how soldiers, hunters, and woodmen managed to get about stony roads and tangled brakes without covering to their feet. However that may be, the fact remains that, as a rule, native artists have dispensed with the article, and sandals or boots of any kind are exceedingly rare on bronzes. On the other hand, there is an abundance of leggings from ankle to knee, as in our Fig. 62/ The workmanship, how- ever, is too rough and elementary to admit certainty as to the material used ; whether metal, leather, or cord knotted and twisted together. In the same class, albeit differing in some of its details, is another statuette, due to the same source (the abbé), in the Paris cabinet. Here the cap (Fig. 61) has been replaced by a low helmet with a dentelled border and plume. A most singular detail is seen about the neck of the statuette. Is this a ponderous necktie or — in view of the bow carried on his left shoulder — a 1 Caylus, -Recueil d'Antiquités, torn. iii. pp. 103, 104, Plate XXVII. fig. 2. 2 In order to form a correct estimate, compare our engraving with that published by the Gazette Archéologique of this monument, 1885, Plate XXIV. 3 Mastrucas have been extensively illustrated by Forcellini and others, whilst Livy calls certain native tribes of the interior " Sardi pelliti " (xxiii. 40). 4 Pais, Bollettino, p. 91, Plate IV. fig. 1, 1884. vol. 1. F Fig. 62. — Statuette from Teti. Height, 15 c. From Pais.