Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 1.djvu/347

 Domestic Architecture. 317 The last words give the measure of the wondering astonishment which the piece elicited from the semi-civilized Hebrews; for neither in technique, design, or workmanship, was there aught to distinguish it from among countless other small pieces of furniture current at Tyre, Memphis, or Nineveh, of chryselephantine work, to which were sometimes added gems and pieces of tinted glass, as point and sparkle to the composition. 1 Often the legs ended in the feet of a lion or the hoofs of a bull, and were of gold, silver, or bronze. The lion was symbolic of divine or regal power, and it will be readily admitted that nowhere could a more appropriate place be found than on the seat of the monarch. It is probable that the lions which supported the throne of Solomon for arms, were placed in the same position as the horses and winged lions in the Khorsabad chairs. 2 In the tomb of Ramses III., at Thebes, are paintings which reproduce a whole set of royal furniture ; now the throne seen on these walls might have served as model for that of Solomon. The back is rounded off, as in our woodcut (Fig. 212), with a standing lion for each arm; the only difference is the position of the lions before the throne; recalling those avenues of sphinxes in the Nile valley which led up to the temple. Repe- tition with the ancients was supposed to increase the magic effect of the symbol. This mode of ornamenting the throne was adopted by the Persians, and is even now seen about the royal platform at Teheran, which is the substitute for the throne. But contrary to the Jerusalem example, the lions, like caryatides, sustain pillars surmounted by a stage, upon which on stated days the shah shows himself to his subjects, or receives ambassadors accredited to his court. 3 To return, Solomon was not content with having adorned his city with fine buildings; but set about enclosing it. This is specified in Kings, where we read that, " he [the king] built Millo and repaired the breaches of David his father." 4 The words seem to imply that David had preserved and perhaps extended the wall of the Jebusites. 1 Hist, of Art, torn. i. p. 839 ; torn. ii. pp. 725-732 ; torn. iii. pp. 845-855. 2 Ivory seems lo have entered into the decoration of the throne uncovered by Layard at Nimroud {Nineveh and Babylon, p. 198). 3 Flandin and Coste, Voyage en Perse, in-folio, Perse Moderne, Plate XXII. ; Relation du Voyage, Flandin, torn. ii. pp. 431, 432; Hommaire de Hell, Voyage en Turquie et en Perse, Plate LX. The plates show twin sphinxes, one on each side the steps leading to the platform, whose position is akin to that of the twelve lions of Solomon's throne. 4 1 Kings ix. 24; xi. 27 ; xii. 20; Judg. ix. 6.