Page:A History of Art in Chaldæa & Assyria Vol 1.djvu/234

 212 A HISTORY OF ART IN CIIALD.EA AND ASSYRIA. rests upon a support which bears a strong resemblance to the Sippara capital (Fig. /o) ; it has two volutes separated by a sharp point. The fondness of the Assyrians for these particular Fir.. 77. Capital ; from a small temple. Fir,. 78. Capital. curves is also betrayed in that religious and symbolic device which has been sometimes called the Tree of Life. Some day, perhaps, the exact significance of this emblem may be explained, we are content to point out the variety and happy arrangement FIG. 79. Chaldaean tabernacle. FIG. So. Ivory plaque found at Nimroud. Actual size. British Museum. of the sinuous lines which surround and enframe the richly decorated pilaster that acts as its stem. We gave one specimen of this tree in Fig. 8; we now give another (Fig. 81). The