Greek Vases Historical and Descriptive - With Some Brief Notices of Vases in the Museum of the Louvre, and a Selection From Vases in the British Museum #250440

Earthenware Vases, is offered for the use of those who, though possibly unacquainted with the Greek language, history, and legends, are capable of appreci ating beauty in exact form and harmonious proportions; also of deriving some pleasure in the poetical fictions handed down to us from remote ages, such as are seen illustrated on these Vases. The marvellous genius of Greeks who lived nearly three thousand years ago, enabled them to produce works of art, which serve as models in this nineteenth century; and, although their paintings have almost all perished, we have the remains of buildings and sculptures, as well as perfect examples of the humbler art of pottery, all of which bear witness to the excellence they had attained. We may learn from these Vases how the Greek combined utility with what delights the eye, added beauty and refinement to objects in common use, and preserved the traditions of his fathers before the art of writing had become common.