360 HISTORY OF ART IN PHOENICIA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. partly covers the cup. 1 Sometimes forms taken from the animal kingdom are found upon the cups without figures, but they are only used in a fragmentary way, and for the sake of their agree- able curves. As an instance of this we may quote a silver cup (Fig, 278), to which attention has been drawn mainly by the in- scription it bears ; this is the name of the proprietor ; it is cut near the edge in Aramaean characters, whence the cup is believed to be of comparatively modern date. Experts tell us that the writing belongs to the Achsemenid period, or the fifth century, B.C. The aspect of the decoration is different from that on any of the vases hitherto described, but the general form and the methods FlG. 277. Central medallion from a cup. From Grim. of execution are such that we are justified in adding this monu- ment to the series of which we have been speaking. Its place of discovery was unique enough ; it was found in the Caucasus ; but none the less do we believe it to be of Phoenician or at least of Syrian, origin. The centre is occupied by a salient boss, into the hollow underside of which any one holding the cup could put his finger. Round this is repeated six times a not inelegant orna- ment made up of two swan's heads and a double palmette. The relief is high throughout. Phoenician workers in metal were not content to produce nothing 1 This cup is in the Gem Room of the British Museum ; it is in poor preservation.
