Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 2.djvu/263

Glyptic Art. 245 and straight stroke, and for the inner or second band, of inverted cones of different sizes. In the central disc are twelve signs, out of which four are stars, one set radiated and the other plain, besides two crescents. The general disposition recalls the boss of Tarkon- demos (Fig. 262), except that this, besides a short inscription, bears a human form. One is apt to ask whether the cones of the second band are not Assyrian arrow- heads" conventionalized into a pleasing design, like the false " cartouches " of countless Punic bowls, which were se- lected to fill up a bare surface.^ In the same series are signs which represent the human figure, and are but reduced copies of carved ones. Thus, in Fig. 373 we have a worshipping priest, dressed in the chasuble of Fig. 7,2,^ at Eyuk, Plate VIII. D. at Boghaz-Keui, and Fig. 358, at Eflatoun Bounar. Another in- taglio, likewise accompanied by characters, bears the familiar type of a hero or deity standing upon a lion (Fig. 374). The head is gone ; but his tunic and the bow slung on his back are distinct. These are all of fine compact creamy impasto ; and most are Fig. 372.— Clay Seal. Original size. Wright, T/ie Empire. Plate XX. 2. Fig. 373.— Clay Seal. Original size. Wright, The Empire^ Plate XX. 7. Fig. 374.— Clay Seal. Original size. Wright, The Empire^ Plate XX. 7. Fig. 375.— Two-sided Seal. Original size. St. Elme Gautier. circular in form. The impressions were probably obtained from a stone matrix, on which figures and emblems were incised ; and when passed through the kiln were of sufficient hardness to serve as seals. Our next intaglio (Fig. 375), was found by M. Sterrett at Chanah, near Fassiler, in Lycaonia.* It is a stone, but so soft as to lack the consistency of well-baked clay. One side is wholly ^ Hist, of Arty torn. iii. pp. 800-802. A collection of these seals is in the possession of M. Greville Chester. "^ The drawing was made from a wax impression kindly communicated to me by M. Sterrett. Hence our figures are raised, whilst in the original they are sunk.