The Book of Trinity College Dublin 1591-1891Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)
History
The Book of Trinity College Dublin 1591-1891
Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)
Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)
in a peculiar angular form near the top of the front arm. But this
also, in the opinion of good judges, is later than the rest of the
carving. The harp, therefore, may possibly be older than Petrie’s
date. The sound-board is of oak (as ascertained by microscopical
examination), but very much decayed.
The same case which contains the harp contains also a few gold and
silver ornaments of elegant workmanship, and a large spear brooch,
which, however, has none of the characteristic Irish work, and is
in fact very similar to a Scandinavian brooch figured in M. Du
Chaillu’s _Viking Age_, vol. ii., p. 329, but has more ornament.
It is 13¾ in. long, 5½ wide across the circle, and weighs 18
oz. It is figured in Vallancey’s _Collectanea_, vol. i., where it
is stated that it had recently (1786) been found near Cashel.
In the Librarian’s room is the largest of the gold ornaments yet
found in Ireland. It is in form like the small fibulae, but weighs
33 oz. 4 dwt. It is adorned with groups of concentric circles
and a series of acute angles, with no trace of the spirals so
characteristic of Celtic art in Christian times. From this it is
inferred that it is of older date. This ornament was found at
Clones in 1820, and purchased by the College. The Charter horn of
the Kavanaghs, after being in the Library for a century, was a few
years ago surrendered to the family. A cast of it is exhibited.
A small bas-relief which hangs on one of the pillars calls for
some notice. It represents Demosthenes at the altar of Calaureia,
where he took the fatal poison. The whole posture, but especially
the head, expresses the utmost dejection. The position of the
right hand also should be observed; instead of clasping the knee,
it hangs idly on one side. There is an engraving of this work in
Winckelmann’s _History of Art_, but the engraver, by raising the
chin, has quite lost the aspect of dejection, and rather gives
the impression that the orator is meditating a speech. It is also
engraved in Allen’s _Demosthenes_ and in Stock’s _Demosthenes_.
This relief belonged to Dr. Richard Mead, and is said to have been
found in the ruins of Hadrian’s Villa. After Mead’s sale in 1755,
where it was purchased by a London dealer, it disappeared from
view until about 1885, when I had the good fortune to identify it
in the centre ornament of a mantelpiece in the room which formerly
contained the Museum (now the Front Hall), and which was built
in 1759. Certain errors in the arrangement of the drapery have
suggested doubts as to its genuineness.[137] On the other hand, in
its favour is the fact that the features resemble those of the bust
found in Herculaneum in 1753; but it was known in 1737, before the
discovery of that bust, and at a time when a wholly different type
of face was accepted as that of Demosthenes. Possibly even ancient
artists may have erred sometimes.
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