The sculptures of Xanthos were discovered by Mr. (afterwards
Sir) Charles Fellows in April, 1838. (Fellows, _A Journal
written during an excursion in Asia Minor_, 1838.) The discoverer
revisited Xanthos in 1840, made a more minute examination of
the remains, and published a further account. (_An Account
of Discoveries in Lycia, being a Journal kept during a second
excursion in Asia Minor_, 1840-1841, quoted as "_Lycia_.") In
consequence of this work, a naval expedition, assisted by Fellows,
was employed in Jan., Feb., 1842, to ship the Marbles of Xanthos
for transport to England. (Fellows, _The Xanthian Marbles;
their acquisition, and transmission to England_, 1843. This was
reprinted by Fellows in _Travels and Researches in Asia Minor,
more particularly in the Province of Lycia_, 1852, pp. 423-456.)
Additional sculptures and casts from Lycia were obtained by a
second expedition in 1843. (_Athenæum_, 1844, pp. 176, 339, 715,
779.) Besides the published material, valuable information may
be obtained from the plans and drawings by Mr. George Scharf,
who accompanied Fellows as draughtsman in 1840. The originals are
preserved in the British Museum, and referred to in this Catalogue
as Scharf's Drawings. See also Solly, _Memoirs of W. J. Müller_,
1875; Beecheno, _E. T. Daniell, a Memoir_, 1889, p. 40; and
the publication of the Austrian expedition to Lycia, _Reisen in
Lykien_, vol. I. ed. by Benndorf and Niemann, 1884; vol. II. by
Petersen and von Luschan, 1889.
[Sidenote: =80.=]
Sepulchral chest (soros), adorned with reliefs on the four sides. This
tomb was made of a single block of hard coarse limestone. It was found
by Fellows in its original position, on a stelè, which appears to have
been about 9 feet high. On the top of the chest there is a rebate to
receive the lid, which formed a separate block and has not been found.
The lower part of the block was sawn off by Fellows, to facilitate
transport. (_Xanthian Marbles_, p. 34.)
Perrot (vol. v., p. 396) is perhaps right in thinking that this is
the oldest of the Xanthian monuments, and represents Lycian sculpture
before the Ionian influence had begun to make itself felt.
The appearance of the monument as found is shown in Scharf's
drawing, here reproduced (pl. ii.), and also in a water-colour
drawing by W. J. Müller, now in the Print Room of the British
Museum. Solly, _Memoir of W. J. Müller_, pl. facing p. 216;
Fellows, _Asia Minor_, p. 168.
[Sidenote: 1.]
_South Side._--Lion to the left, recumbent, in high relief.
Between the paws of the lion is seen the head of a bull, which has
been thrown over by the lion, and is seized by the throat. Below
the forepaws of the lion is a tablet, which seems to have traces
of an inscription.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account