The mirrors were of metal, highly polished. The one seen in [Fig. 214] was designed to stand upon a dressing case; the other three ([Fig. 213]) are hand mirrors. The frame of the rectangular mirror is modern; whether or not this had a handle is not clear.
Fig. 215.—Gold arm band.
Jewellery of gold and silver and other small objects wrought in the precious metals have now and then been found. A characteristic example of the jewellery is the large gold arm band in the form of a serpent, with eyes of rubies, found in the house of the Faun ([Fig. 215]). It weighs twenty-two ounces; to judge from the size, it must have been intended for the upper arm.
Much more important, from the aesthetic point of view, are the cups and other articles of silver designed for table use. As these do not differ essentially from objects of the same class found elsewhere, we should not be warranted in entering upon an extended discussion of them here; a few examples must suffice.
Fig. 216.—Silver cups.
Of the three cups with repoussé reliefs shown in [Fig. 216], one (a) has a simple but effective decoration of leaves. Another (c) presents the apotheosis of Homer; the bard is being carried to heaven by an eagle, while on either side (detail in b) sits an allegorical figure—the Iliad with helmet, shield, and spear, and the Odyssey with a sailor's cap and a steering paddle. On the third (d, detail in [Fig. 216] e) we see a male and a female Centaur, with Bacchic emblems, conversing with Cupids posed gracefully on their backs. This last is one of a pair found in 1835.