Two Greek Reliefs

Abstract

The two Greek reliefs which are published together on Pl. XI. are recent acquisitions of the British Museum, and considerably strengthen its collections in a branch of ancient art in which it had previously been rather weak.The earliest of the two reliefs is that of Glykylla (Fig. 1). It was brought to this country by a sailor trading to the Levant, and was by him offered to the British Museum, in 1893. It was said to have been found at Thebes, but this is doubtful. In style, at any rate, it is clear that it must be classed with the Attic relief's.The material is Pentelic marble, with an untouched surface of golden colour. Height 3 ft. 1 in., width 1 foot 10½ ins. The relief is nearly perfect, only the upper part of Glykylla's face and the left arm of her attendant being injured.In this charming sculpture we have one of the many forms of the theme of the jewel-casket. The seated lady, matronly and richly draped, is trying or putting on a bracelet about her left wrist, while her left hand is negligently raised. An attendant stands at her feet, holding open the lid of the casket, from which the ornament has just been taken, and watches the putting on. The bracelet is a massive one, with a spirally twisted design.