VASE 2,249 YEARS OLD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1982, 27 May 1919, Page 1

VASE 2,249 YEARS OLD.

An interesting feature of the Greek and Roman galleries at the British Museum is the famous Orestes vase from the Hope collection. ‘‘This magnificent art treasure in terracotta has had some remarkable modern vicissitudes,’- said Air Arthur Smith, the keeper of these treasures, “The vase, which is dated lido 8.C., was saved, during the Ereneh Revolution, from the fury of (lie mob by being walled up in a secret room. Afterwards it fell into the hands of Adrian Hope, the rich banker.

“When (he Hope collection was sold the vase was purchased at Christie’s by an American collector to take across the Atlantic. Because of the submarine menace, however, the American got “panicky,’ and decided to sell the treasure again rather than risk it getting sent to the bottom of the sea. “With the assistance of (he National Art Earn! and the help of other cionors, a sufficiently largo sum was raised to purchase it for the nation; but because London was bombed so badly, (lie base was placed 80ft. below ground in the Post Office tube for safety. This is the first lime it will have boon on view as national property.”