Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/559

 NOTICES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS. 411 and architectural details, supply as conclusive evidence, within the walls, of the noble proportions of structures in which the grand mosaic decorations, lately brought to light, might form a most appropriate enrichment. Of these, a fully detailed account is given, with observations on the arrangement and interior orna- mentation, both by tessellated work and fresco painting, which will be read with much interest. The examples of fictile ware discovered are numerous, and present the usual variety of fabrication. Several remains of antique glass are also described. Amongst works in metal, the armlets and brooches of bronze form a very interesting series, comprising examples well worthy of modern imitation. The armilloi brought to light at Corinium are unusually varied and elegant in design ; and it is remarkable that the fashion of ring-fibula, worn by the Gloucestershire rustic till recent years, had preserved almost identically the Roman type. A rare and inter- esting object of bronze is represented, — a complete Roman statera, the prototype of the steelyard. It has a double fulcrum, so as to be adjusted for weighing objects from about 2 oz. to 41b. The pendant or counterpoise of the statera has fre- quently been found in this country ; but the instrument in its perfect state is of uncommon occurrence even on the Con- tinent. Caylus gives a very singular specimen discovered in the harbour of Antium, which has the shell of a snail, of bronze, as a counterpoise.' The more usual form is a diminutive bust, such as that supposed to represent Ceres, lately exhibited by Professor Buckman at a meeting of the Institute. Another curious object is here shown, a pair of bronze compasses. A second example, somewhat diflering in ornament, has been brought to light at Cirencester, and is in the collection of J.R. Mullings, Esq., M.P. Caylus speaks of the great rarity of such relics ; and he has given three varieties, one having each point bifid, the others of more ordinary fashion, in- teresting for comparison with this example from our own ' Caylus, Re'cueil d'Antiriu. tome iv., pi. ,04. Bronze Stiitera. found at Cirencester.