CHAPTER IV.
Metal Work.
GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE, PEWTER, AND IRON.
The early Egyptian, Assyrian, Phœnician, and Primitive Grecian metal work has been noticed under the historic sketch of the art of these nations in the former volume.
We read in the Bible of the great magnificence of Solomon’s Temple, especially in the extreme richness and wealth of the gold, silver, and brazen vessels, utensils, and architectural decorations, in which the precious metals were used in the solid or plated manner on capitals, pillars, doors, seats, thrones, and on the decorations of the Ark; but no remains of all this magnificence have survived the wrecks of time or the greed and spoliation of the conquerors of Jerusalem.
The sculptured decorations of the Arch of Titus at Rome afford us the only tangible testimony as to the kind or shapes of the tables, vessels, and seven-branched candlesticks which were carried off by the Romans after the sacking of Jerusalem, A.D. 73. The workmanship and design of these objects were probably a mixture of Egyptian and Assyrian forms, passing through the hands of the probable Phœnician artificers.
Some of the earliest goldsmiths’ work that possesses a real artistic value consists of personal ornaments, such as wreaths, earrings, brooches, and diadems of Etruscan workmanship. Much of this work was made very thin, in plates or scales joined together, and was generally designed for funeral uses. Articles of personal adornment were very rich and beautifully made, having the usual character of Greek design (Figs. 128, 129).
Fig. 128.—Gold Brooch and Earrings set with Garnets; Etruscan. (J.)
Fig. 129.—Head of Bacchus, part of Necklace; Etruscan Jewellery. (J.)