Plate 57. The Monument of Lysicrates: the Finial

On Plate 57 is shown complete with plans, the finial which rested on the cupola of the monument. The lower portion, from the narrow band down, is a part of the mass of the cupola. The upper three-armed portion which springs from an urn formed by two rows of acanthus leaves resting on the narrow band, is worked out of a single stone, and is of the richest origination and of the most complete execution known in Grecian monuments. The upper horizontal surface of this part, a quarter plan of which is shown under A, has in the middle a round, and at each extension an oblong, sinkage. These sinkages once answered in all probability for the fastening of a three-cornered slab, which acted as a cover-plate for the finial and also without doubt carried the tripod, the feet of which stood centrally between the arms. The dotted line under A gives the horizontal section at B (in elevation.) Under C is given a horizontal section taken at D, with the leafwork shown in plan looking up.

In order to secure the stability of this finial the wide projecting arms were once supported from the consoles resting on the cupola as has already been described at Plate 55.

The plaster casts which were used for the restoration given on our three plates, though taken at a time when the monument was in much better condition than at present, are very fragmentary, as all leaves and outer ends of the upper projections were broken off. For this reason, therefore, we have had to make numerous restorations, though always in the spirit of the existing portions.* Although this fantastically decorated finial represents the highest attainment in the richest capital ornamentation of the Corinthian style, we see also the most perfect combination of the beautiful with the useful, the exquisite crowning of the cupola combined with the necessary support for the tripod, in excellent keeping with the surrounding work.

We find here therefore in the very richest architectural ornamentation, as everywhere in the architecture of the Greeks, the decorative forms brought about and evolved from constructive requirements, and executed by a highly trained artistic genius who knew how to give them their invigorating and proper character.

*In the Edition of 1886 the editors remark that in Mauch's restoration of the finial, though the drawings must be admitted to be as a whole excellent, closer observations of the casts suggest that some single parts on the upper portion seem incorrect, in that from the upper plant stems, as indicated by the remains of the casts, scrolls arose which hugged the side surfaces of the cover-plate. — ED.