Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/276

 22 i THE CORBRIDGE LANX, tions in years pas^t. It ^vill be remembered that, b}- favour of the Late Duke (Algernon), the precious original was en- trusted to us for exhibition on occasion of the meeting of the Institute at Newcastle, in 1852 ; subsequently, by his Grace's indulgence, we were likewise permitted to make more leisurely'" examination of the curious mythological details with which the land- is enriched. An electrotyped facsimile was sent by the Duke, in IS GO, to one of our monthly meetings in Lon- don.'* A full account of this sumptuous production of Iloman art, — of the discovery, in 1735, — the claim also and ultimate rescue by the lord of the manor, the Duke of Somerset, as treasure trove, has been related elsewhere. It may suffice here to state that the costly dish was noticed by the daughter of a Corbridge blacksmith ; the glittering angle projected from the bank of the Tyne, near Corbridge, and attracted the girl's notice. The huhv, it may be observed, measures 19 in. by 15 in.; the weight is 149 oz. It had, when found, a raised base or rim attached to the under side, which was cut off by the smith and sold in Newcastle. "We are indebted to Dr. Collingwood Bruce for the use of the accompanying woodcut. It may sufHce to indicate the various portions of the design that render this important example of Roman iconograph}' peculiarly interesting. The reader, who may desire to appreciate with accuracy the style of art, and the mythological details, will be gratified b}' examination of the admirable engraving by jMr. lloll, from a careful drawing executed by Jlr. Scharf This has been recently given by permission of the Duke of Northumberland, amongst the costly illustrations of the " Lapidarium {Septentrionale," j)ublished by the Societ}' of Anti([uaries of Newcastle under Dr. I'rucc's editorial cai'c (See }>. 340.) A fully detailed statement will there be found of various suggestions that have been offered in regard to the signification of the design, with references also to engravings and <jtlier j)ublished notices of this most important monument of classical Toi-cuiic art. The subject of the chasing is the Diljihic Oracle, cx- pres.sed by the various d<ities connected with its establish- ment. The princijKil figure is the P^tliia, I'liemoiioe, seated on her bronze throne over the orifice of the prophetic cavern, holding in her liand a full .spindle, as being guanlian of the
 * Arch. Juuriml, vol. xvii. p. 201,