Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 2.djvu/203

 Industrial Arts in Pteria. 185 and-tongue moulding, form as exquisite architectural details as are anywhere to be found, in striking contrast with the ill-proportioned, elliptic capital of our pillar, which seems crushed out of all shape by the superimposed weight. Nevertheless, if the Ionic column and its capital were introductions from Asia, and all tends to prove it, we must recognize here the primitive form adopted by the Ionian Greeks, purified by them into a far more beautiful order than ever existed in its native home. Persia is out of the running, for when her monuments were erected, the great epoch of Hellenic art had begun. Besides, the volute in the capital at Persepolis and Corinth, is only introduced as a secondary member, subor- dinated to the bulls' heads and foliated ornament which distinguish them. By reference to Assyrian pillars,^ it will be found that in many essentials they are nearer to the Pterian than the Ionic column. Of the first, some have bases ; an abacus interposes between the volute and the architrave, and the astragal is some- times replaced by a triple torus which recalls the deep collar about the Erechtheium.^ On the other hand, the shaft of the Khorsabad column is smooth, but though rudely carved, there are unmistakable traces of flutings about the Pterian style. They yield, in fact, two variants of what may be called Proto-Ionic or Primitive Ionic. Both have volutes as chief members of the capital, astragals below the capital and bases, whilst in both all the parts found in the Ionic style are likewise found, and, except in beauty of execution and detail, the same forms and feelings pervade them. Hence- forth, properly to comprehend the origin of Grecian art, we shall have to give the same attention to the columns in the lasili-Kaia bas-reliefs, as to those of the Tigris valley. Bearing in mind the principle laid down by us, it will be readily admitted that the cediculum figured on the cliff was a reminiscence of a monumental facade ; the hollow of the bay being replaced here by an idol, there by a symbol. The sphinxes at Eyuk were taken from Egypt, and the function of guarding the doorway was entrusted at Boghaz-Keui to Assyrian bulls, set up beside strong supports, the forms of which were derived from metal, but could be imitated in stone. A frontispiece for a temple or palace, not devoid of dignity, might be restored from the data furnished by these C3edicula, which seem to have been preserved for the purpose '^ Ibid., torn. ii. Figs. 41, 42.
 * Hist, of Art, torn. iii. pp. 218-222, Figs. 71, 75, 76-80.