Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 2.djvu/168

 150 A History of Art in Sardinia and Jud^a. with the adytum are two exceedingly narrow passages, which could be easily closed or blocked up (see plan, Fig. 310). The stones strewing the ground in front of this small recess may very likely have formed part of walls which formerly barred these avenues. Reference has been made to the part assigned to the twin monsters at the entrance of one of the passages, and to the nature of the two great bas-reliefs, as coinciding yith their destina- tion. One represents the close union between god and priest ; and in the second, this same god, seen hitherto with a human form, has assumed a totally different aspect : his image is entirely made up of symbolic members which could not blend and become fused in a living organism. We recognize here a mystic creation dear to the sacerdotal fancy, which looks abroad for emblems by means of which it may give utterance to its inner consciousness, in vain endeavour to express the inexpressible. The outcome is the strange composite figure which we find in the holy of holies, but which would have been out of place in the more frequented part, where the forms should be simple and easily read. This brings us to the circular recesses right and left of the passage (Figs. 310, 317, and 318), which it is clear were used as cupboards for sacred utensils, amongst which may have been chests akin to the ark of tjie Israelites. What gives colouring to this supposition are the twin oedicula front and back of the great bas- relief (Figs. 314, 321); for they have all the appearance of being intended as richly ornate reliquaries, or coffers, wherein were kept sacred objects handled by the priest alone, which on stated days he held up to the gaze of the assembled multitude. If in com- position and excellence of detail these movable chapels are far superior to the surrounding sculptures, we maybe sure that models on wood or metal, with ivory inlay, perhaps of foreign manufacture, had long been known to the Pterians. If the artist assigned them so conspicuous a position, if he reproduced on hard stone so elabo- rate an arrangement, it was because he was conscious that mere sight of them would call to the remembrance of his countrymen a special public act of worship in which they all had taken part. The first impression produced by the loneliness of the place is apt to bring up the query as to whether a stone or bronze door sufficiently guarded the precious objects placed in these recesses ; or if they were brought from the city when required. But then, is it credible that they would have laboriously excavated them, if