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Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
 
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SALAMIS

SALAMIS IN THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS.
BY ALEXANDER PALMA DI CESNOLÀ, F.S.A.,
page 100

evidently fast asleep. The third example is that of a boy, who stands in a finely-animated attitude, with one foot before the other, and laughing gaily. One of the arms is lost. The modelling of this pretty thing is very like, and quite equal to, that of a work by Fiammingo. The fourth statuette, which is clad in a short chemise, seems to have been intended for that of a hermaphrodite, the freely displayed body, the proportion of the shoulders and the hips, the plumpness of the contours, and the character of the head, all agree in supporting this notion of the nature of the figure. It is noteworthy that this very curious relic has been treated in an unusually realistic manner. The remaining two figures, or, rather, demi-figures, of this company are fragments, of whichthe lower limbs have been lost. The larger one is that of a lad in the action of a warrior, holding in one arm a shield, and in the other a sword, or spear. The expression of his features could not be more energetic than it is, and it is extremely well worth noticing, that the high-crested helmet worn by this warrior has evidently been added after the head has been modelled. A portion of its vizor having been broken away, reveals the hair within. A belt is placed at the hips of this statuette. The last work of this class is the demi-figure of a boy in a casque. A group of two boys, playing, or quarrelling, occurs next. One of these urchins holds down his right arm against his chest, while in the left hand he grasps a disk-like object. It may be a cake, or even a garland, which is in dispute between them. It is certain that the other boy is in the act of grasping the extended right arm of his neighbour, and biting the wrist of that member with a good deal of passion. On the pedestal, rude representations of flowers and herbage indicate that this contest occurs in the open fields. Another group comprises an almost naked boy and girl squatting close to each other in loving attitudes, with one arm of each figure over the shoulders of the other. There is a group of rare elegance which comes next on my list. Two chubby infants sit side by side; the girl, who is represented with great detail, embraces her companion with feminine energy. A flower-holder, in the form of a foot, like those which occur occasionally in glass, has lost its upper portions, but preserves the representation of the shoe and sole attached to it. The bottom of the sole is curiously marked, indentations answering to the stitches, by means of which it was sewn to the body of the boot.1 On the front of the foot, a chubby child is reclining, as if asleep, with his hands placed under his head and among his abundant tresses. The erect naked youth, in the act of walking, wears a mantle, in the folds of which he has wreathed one arm. In one hand, he holds a short sword of the Greek form. There

1 It is figured in the Chapter on Lamps.

is a Cupid, sleeping at ease in the hollow of a large shell, which, as if it floated on the sea, is supported, or driven, by two dolphins. There is a standing boy, or Autolycus, in a scanty shirt, which does not completely cover his body, holding to his breast a large bunch of grapes. He seems to be laughing. " On his head is a broad fillet with three pendants, one of which.is shaped like a shield. The next pendant is more like an alabastrum on a very small scale; the third pendant is placed in the centre of the forehead, like the phylactery of a Jew, and, like that object, the lower part of this one is oblong, and seems to comprise a frame enclosing another article, probably an amulet. A small circular object rises, and isattached to this oblong one. These articles or amulets occur on one side only of the boy's head, his hair braided from back to front. At his side stands a large cock. The bird leaps up with one foot raised. On the pedestal of this work is a bas-relief of Cupid in a chariot drawn by two lions, and preceded by a winged genius. A curious class of terra-cotta figures comprises those which appear in the act of riding. A figure belonging to this class represents a kind of youthful genius, draped, riding upon a cock, resembling the fantastic figures of the Serapeus (fig. 224).

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