Page:History of Art in Phœnicia and Its Dependencies Vol 2.djvu/272

 248 HISTORY OF ART IN PHCENICIA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. those combinations so characteristic of Phoenicia. We find the same spirit in a double-faced ellipsoid found at Jerusalem by Mr. Reichardt, a Protestant minister, which we have already figured (Fig. 147). In one face it bears this unusually long inscription : To Menahemet, wife of Gadmoloch. On the other, two bearded individuals, with spherical tiaras, stand in adoration before a triad composed of the sun, the moon, and that god who makes his first appearance in the winged globe of Assyria, 1 and was afterwards introduced into those of Persia. A convex white agate from Beyrout also represents a scene of worship (Fig. 181), but the sun and moon are there the only deities. The execution is rough and details of costume are hardly to be distinguished. A curious ob- ject between the figures has given rise to some discussion. M. de Vogtie, who was the first to publish this intaglio, suggests that it may be an altar ; 2 and we are ready to identify it with one of those portable altars of wood or metal which were carried about for use during a journey or campaign ; we have already met with them on the Assyrian reliefs. 3 The inscription reads : To Akileled. FIG. 181. Intaglio. From De Vogue. 4 FIG. 182. Scarabseoid. 3 We know from their steles and coins that the Phoenicians loved to figure their gods with great wings, sometimes expanded, some- times folded close to their bodies (Vol. I. Figs. 192 and 218, and tail-piece to Chapter IV. ; and above, Figs. 12 and 13). We find the same themes engraved on stones. On a carnelion scarabaeoid we find a personage with one wing drooped towards the ground and the other raised (Fig. 182). Sanchoniathon tells us that the god El was represented with four wings, two spread and two closed, an action intended to suggest perpetual movement. 6 Here the number of wings is reduced to two, perhaps on account of 1 Art in Chaldaa and Assyria, Vol. I. Fig. 19. 2 DE VOGU, Melanges d? arch'eologie orientate, p. 127. 3 Art in Chaldaa and Assyria, Vol. I. Fig. 68 ; and Vol. II. Plate XII. 4 Melanges, 6-v., plate vi. 5 Ibid, plate v.. SANCHONIATHON, Orelli edition, 38.