Collection being secured for the British Museum, Mr. Wylie, who had formed a very valuable assemblage of Saxon relics at Fairford in Gloucestershire, had generously pledged himself to present the whole to the National Collection.[1]
The resolution was then proposed by Mr. Westmacott, R. A., seconded by Mr. Westwood, and carried unanimously, that the following expression of the strong feeling of the Society on this occasion should be conveyed to the Trustees of the British Museum:—
"This Meeting, having been informed of the steps taken by the Central Committee regarding the Faussett Collection, and cordially approving the same, desire to record their feeling of the great value of the Saxon antiquities lately in the posi5ession of Dr. Faussett, as an addition to the series now forming at the British Museum. They entertain a hope that the Trustees will not suffer the occasion now offered for securing these Collections to be lost."
It was further resolved, "That the Members of the Society at large be invited to signify their assent to this Resolution by adding their names to the signatures of those who were present at the meeting."
The resolution, having subsequently been signed by the Noble President of the Institute and a large number of members, was duly submitted to the consideration of the Trustees of the Museum.
Mr. Yates gave an account of a Roman acerra, or box for holding the incense at sacrifices. This interesting and beautiful object was lately found near Mayence, and has been purchased for 75l. by the Trustees of the British Museum. The sepulchre in which it was discovered contained four square glass bottles and the handle of a glass ossuarium, which are preserved in the British Museum, being included in the same purchase. The acerra is of the usual oblong and rectangular form, and measures 11⋅7 centimetres in length, 7⋅2 in breadth, and 4⋅5 in height. It is of bone, perhaps ox-bone, but certainly the bone of a large quadruped, and this substance is perfectly well preserved, hard and firm, and has the exact colour and appearance of the combs, pins and other small articles of bone, which we often see among Roman remains. The box stands on four elegantly formed lions' paws, which are also of bone; but the two hinges by which the lid is attached to the lower part of the box are of silver. The whole exterior is very tastefully decorated. The lid represents in bas-relief the rape of Theophane by Neptune (Hyginus, Fab. 188). The princess throws her arms into the air, and is followed by her two sisters, who bewail her loss, whilst a Cupid, having laid hold of Neptune's trident, urges on the prancing steeds. The treatment of the subject is with a few slight variations the same which is published from a much larger bas-relief in Bartoli, Admiranda Romanæ Antiquitatis, Tab. 29, and copied from him in Montfaucon, Antiquité Expliquée, Tom. I. c. 8. Tab. 33. In front of the box is the head of Medusa, with beautiful arabesques, and at the two ends are seen a crab, and an eagle grasping the thunderbolt. But the most interesting feature is the following inscription, carved on the back and in excellent preservation:—
- ↑ The important character and extent of the Museum in Mr. Wylie's possession is well known to antiquaries by his curious account of the discoveries, entitled, "Fairford Graves," Oxford, J. H. Parker, 1852.
