The sculptures of Xanthos were discovered by Mr. (afterwards Sir) Charles Fellows in April, 1838. (Fellows, A Journal written during an excursion in Asia Minor, 1838.) The discoverer revisited Xanthos in 1840, made a more minute examination of the remains, and published a further account. (An Account of Discoveries in Lycia, being a Journal kept during a second excursion in Asia Minor, 1840-1841, quoted as "Lycia.") In consequence of this work, a naval expedition, assisted by Fellows, was employed in Jan., Feb., 1842, to ship the Marbles of Xanthos for transport to England. (Fellows, The Xanthian Marbles; their acquisition, and transmission to England, 1843. This was reprinted by Fellows in Travels and Researches in Asia Minor, more particularly in the Province of Lycia, 1852, pp. 423-456.) Additional sculptures and casts from Lycia were obtained by a second expedition in 1843. (Athenæum, 1844, pp. 176, 339, 715, 779.) Besides the published material, valuable information may be obtained from the plans and drawings by Mr. George Scharf, who accompanied Fellows as draughtsman in 1840. The originals are preserved in the British Museum, and referred to in this Catalogue as Scharf's Drawings. See also Solly, Memoirs of W. J. Müller, 1875; Beecheno, E. T. Daniell, a Memoir, 1889, p. 40; and the publication of the Austrian expedition to Lycia, Reisen in Lykien, vol. I. ed. by Benndorf and Niemann, 1884; vol. II. by Petersen and von Luschan, 1889.
80.Sepulchral chest (soros), adorned with reliefs on the four sides. This tomb was made of a single block of hard coarse limestone. It was found by Fellows in its original position, on a stelè, which appears to have been about 9 feet high. On the top of the chest there is a rebate to receive the lid, which formed a separate block and has not been found. The lower part of the block was sawn off by Fellows, to facilitate transport. (Xanthian Marbles, p. 34.)
Perrot (vol. v., p. 396) is perhaps right in thinking that this is the oldest of the Xanthian monuments, and represents Lycian sculpture before the Ionian influence had begun to make itself felt.
The appearance of the monument as found is shown in Scharf's drawing, here reproduced ([pl. ii.]), and also in a water-colour drawing by W. J. Müller, now in the Print Room of the British Museum. Solly, Memoir of W. J. Müller, pl. facing p. 216; Fellows, Asia Minor, p. 168.
1.South Side.—Lion to the left, recumbent, in high relief. Between the paws of the lion is seen the head of a bull, which has been thrown over by the lion, and is seized by the throat. Below the forepaws of the lion is a tablet, which seems to have traces of an inscription.
Height, 3 feet 1½ inches; length, 4 feet; height of relief, 10 inches. Fellows, Lycia, pl. facing p. 176 (very poor); Prachov, pl. 1, fig. 1; Perrot and Chipiez, V., p. 392, fig. 277; p. 395, fig. 280; Dieulafoy, L'Art. Ant. de la Perse, III., pl. 16.
2.East Side.—Frieze in low relief, with its right end broken away. A horseman wearing helmet and cloak rides to the right. He is followed by an attendant, wearing a short chiton, and carrying a spear on his right shoulder. Behind, a warrior moves to the left, wearing a helmet with a large crest, a shield, and spear. On the left, a shield, supposed to be fastened on a wall. This relief, with its flat surface, devoid of detail, was probably painted.
Height, 1 foot 6½ inches; length, 3 feet 3 inches; height of relief, ½ inch. Fellows, Lycia, pl. facing p. 176 (very inaccurate); Perrot and Chipiez, V., p. 394, fig. 279.
3.North Side.—Lioness, in high relief, recumbent to right, playing with cubs. A cub is seen, with its forepaws across the paws of the lioness, and with its hind quarters to the right; a second cub lies on its back, over the first. The lower part of the relief is broken away.