[History of Phoenicia by George Rawlinson]@TWC D-Link bookHistory of Phoenicia CHAPTER VIII--INDUSTRIAL ART AND MANUFACTURES 20/27
The rest of the ornamentation consists chiefly of concentric circles; but between two of the circles is left a tolerably broad ring, which has a pattern consisting of a series of broadish leaves pointing towards the cup's centre.
Nothing can be more delicate, or in better taste, than the entire design. The most splendid of all the Cyprian vases was found at Curium, and has been already represented in this volume.
It is an amphora of large dimensions, ornamented in part with geometrical designs, in part with compartments, in which are represented horses and birds.
The form, the designs, and the general physiognomy of the amphora are considered to be in close accordance with Athenian vases of the most antique school.
The resemblance is so great that some have supposed the vase to have been an importation from Attica into Cyprus;[858] but such conjectures are always hazardous; and the principal motives of the design are so frequent on the Cyprian vases, that the native origin of the vessel is at least possible, and the judgment of some of the best critics seems to incline in this direction. Still, on the whole, the Cyprian ceramic art is somewhat disappointing. What is original in it is either grotesque, as the vases in the shape of animals,[859] or those crowned by human heads,[860] or those again which have for spout a female figure pouring liquid out of a jug.[861] What is superior has the appearance of having been borrowed.
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