Page:Archaeologia volume 38 part 1.djvu/261

 Recent Excavations at Carthage. 227 The pavement, however, was well worthy of the attention bestowed on it, and is, probably, among the finest which Mr. Davis found at Carthage. One compartment represents a sea-piece, with dolphins, tritons, and sea-nymphs. The remainder is ornamented with square panels containing female busts, and separated from each other by a delicate framework of vine-leaves. The general effect is very pleasing; the pavement does not, however, seem of early date, and has many tesserae in coloured glass. Having thus enumerated the various sets of mosaics with which Mr. Davis's excavations have enriched the Museum, I will proceed to describe the great mosaic (No. 1), which was discovered first, and furnishes the subjects of the accompanying illustrations. It will be seen from the plan (Plate IX.) that only two portions of this pave- ment have been preserved ; but they are of considerable size, and enable us to form some idea of the design of all but the central part. It consists of a square of 23 feet, having on each of two of its sides an oblong compartment representing twining plants growing out of golden vases. In the middle of each of these com- partments there has been a circle containing a cruciform pattern. To one of the other sides of the square are attached small compartments, separated from each other by spaces, where the mosaic either has been destroyed or has never existed. The larger spaces (BB) probably mark the site of the rectangular bases of half- columns, while the smaller spaces (AA) at the corners may have borne shallow pilasters. The position of the half-columns has probably determined the size of the square, and prevented the side compartments from forming a continuous broad border. As to the square itself, the edge is ornamented with an elegant riband pattern. At each corner there was a circular medallion 2ft. 9in. in diameter, inclosing a head ; from this proceeded a tapering mass of green leaves, resembling in its general form a cypress. On each side, midway between the medallions, was placed a white vase, probably intended to represent silver, supporting a similar tapering mass of foliage, but of a golden hue. The intervening spaces were each of them occupied by a four-cornered panel, being a section of a broad circular band, and containing a figure. Within this band there has probably been another range of panels of similar form, and, possibly, a circle in the centre; but of this portion of the pavement no part remains, unless it be a fragment which will be presently noticed. From the medallions at the corners sprang scrolls of foliage, filling up all the intervals between the panels and other ornaments just described. The character of these scrolls is shewn by a portion of one of them represented in Plate X. fig. 1. 2o 2