Travels in the footsteps of Bruce in Algeria and Tunis

by Sir R. Lambert Playfair

J. LEITCH &. C^o. Sc.

QUADRIFRONTAL ARCH AT OEA (TRIPOLI)

FAC-SIMILE OF UNFINISHED INDIAN INK DRAWING BY BRUCE.

HENRY S. KING C^o. LONDON.

Bruce has left us a most exquisite and elaborate series of drawings of the arch with all its details, of which I have selected two for illustration ([Plates XXVII.] and [XXVIII.]) From these it will be seen that it is an arcus quadrifrons, of which style of monument the only two other specimens existing are that of Janus Quadrifrons at Rome and the arch of Caracalla at Tebessa ([Plate IX.]) It has a carriage-way in both directions, one crossing the other; and when in its original condition, clear of all obstructions, it must have had a most imposing appearance.

Each archway has subordinate Corinthian pilasters at the angles surmounted by a regular entablature; the face of the pilaster is sunk in a panel and enriched with a running ornament. The arch has a regular archivolt, without keystone, and the spandrils are filled with winged figures of Victory. The general order of the front is Corinthian, and the entablature runs unbroken all around. There are two slightly projecting pilasters on each side of the central opening, raised on pedestals, which have enriched panels, with a vase, tripod, or other emblematic object. The outer pilaster has a panel from base to capital, enriched with running foliage. The pilaster next the arch is fluted.

The entablature consists of the usual features and divisions, and is unbroken round the monument. The frieze is carved in its whole length from the outer to the inner pilasters, but the long interval between and over the arch itself is left plain for the inscription.

Between each pair of pilasters is a fine square-headed niche, two-thirds of the height of the pilaster, surmounted on the east and west sides by a circular panel containing, in alto-relievo, busts, probably, of the Emperors to whom the arch is dedicated. Above these is the frieze as far as the capitals, with two winged boys carrying a garland ([Plate XXVIII.])

The soffit of the archivolt has a panel filled in with carving, and there are richly sculptured caissons in the general depth of the arch.