HISTORY ETHNOGRAPHY NATURE WINE-MAKING SITE MAP
Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
 
uses Google technology and indexes only and selectively internet - libraries having books with free public access
SALAMIS

SALAMIS IN THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS.
BY ALEXANDER PALMA DI CESNOLÀ, F.S.A.,
page 103

his head a short cloak, and is in the attitude of a playful lad, who shelters himself during a shower. Holding, one in each hand, before him, the fore-hems of the cloak, he looks from between its folds. On his head is a large garland, with a horn-like protuberance over each temple; the feet and legs are uncovered. This figure may be in the act of playing at "bopeep!" Perhaps it is a figure of Telesphorus, the companion of Ǽsculapius. A group of extravagant grotesques mustnow be described. The first of these is (fig. 228) the laughable representation of a player, or actor, in the character of a packman, trudging with a huge pack on his shoulders, and exactly in the manner of a Scotch pedlar, or pack-man, of our time. He carries the pack by means of a flat stick, the hook at one end of which passes through a strap bound about the burthen, and thus keeps it in its place on his back. Thé stick passes before his chest, and is furnished with a stud-like second hook. Over this hook, the handle of a small bag or gourd is placed. He grasps the stick with one hand, and in the other, which appears pendent at his side, is a second bag or pouch. That this is the figure of an actor in character is obvious, by means of the comic mask he wears, the mouth of which is shewn, as well as the hair which surmounts it. A broad belt, or scarf, binds his belly below a twisted scarf, or girdle, which he wears. There are other figures very like the above. One, smaller than the last, represents a man in a short tunic, holding up a portion of the mantle which covers this garment by twisting it about his left hand and arm. By this means, a very remarkable phallus is displayed. Before the fece is a large satyric mask. Another, of an old man standing, whose tumid body is distinctly seen under his toga and tunic. He holds with his left hand a nearly flaccid pouch; his head is disproportionately large, and its ludicrous features are distorted to resemble a mask of extremely bizarre character, and almost Chinese in its grotesqueness, with round, staring eyes, and large, pendulous lips. Among other statuettes, the demi-figure of a man, perhaps Silenus, may be noticed, Avhose head is shrouded in part of his toga, which expands on each side, as if distended by the wind. That such is the case is supported by the manner in which the drapery is pressed against the bust. He has a thin, peaked beard. Another represents a fat fellow rolling on the ground, with a two-handled amphora of Rhodes at his side. The mouth of this vessel is closed, and secured by a band, which crosses it, and seems to be attached to the handles. He wears a satyric mask encircled by a wreath.
He is an actor in a drunken character, and this subject is represented with great spirit. I may draw attention also to a similar figure of the same subject which may be studied, comprising a much larger amphora, on which the man reclines. The example has been adapted as a lamp. A demi-figure of a man in a satyric mask, the features of which are coloured of a deep, still perfectly fresh and sound red, while the hair of the head and beard is coloured a deep yellow. The execution is fine and carefully finished, and the fragment pertained to an incense-burner. Four grotesques of pig-like figures, which come next, were likewise designed as incense-burners. Of these, one (fig. 229) is the caricature of a pedagogue squatting and holding a scroll extended between his paws. On the scroll is "ABΓΔ", in archaic Greek characters. The others are the caricature of a priest in the act of speaking, with both arms raised; a similar figure holding a wreath; and that which holds an object of a serpentine form not easily understood. When some of these relics are placed horizontally and face downwards they represent swine. We may examine a group of three erect, fully-draped figures, each with a staff in its hand; two have satyric masks, the central one is bare-faced, and its features have a grotesque character. There are traces of yellow on the satyric masks. They are actors in characters. Among the grotesques, one represents a large ape. Another is a Bacchic figure of a bloated old man, crowned with a huge wreath, hugging himself with both arms, and having a perfect expression of drunkenness. On the head is a large wreath. It is a Silenus. A statuette which resembles a gladiator holds a large weapon like a bipennis in the left hand, and raised as if on guard. It may be that this is a trident, or relates to the net of a retiarius. The

Back to Topic