Letter from Plenderleith to Schaeffer on the imminent completion of the restoration of the bull bowlHarold James Plenderleith

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[printed: RESEARCH LABORATORY, BRITISH MUSEUM, LONDON, W.C.1.]

23rd August, 1951

Dear Dr. Schaeffer,

I became so interested in your cup that it was impossible for me to resist the temptation to finish the work before my holiday, and I am enclosing photographs so that you may see how it looks after treatment and restoration. (There is still some inlay to be remounted).

The shape of the cup is the same as the B. M. unornamented version from Enkomi, and yours is an astonishing parallel in both shape and ornament to the one found at Dendra and published by Persson in 1931. The Dendra cup had a gold lining inside, however, whereas I can find no evidence for or against yours having been so ornamented. It may be of interest also that the handle in yours is applied in a rather asymmetric fashion, but I think there is no doubt that it belongs to the cup as the petal ornament on the handle is the same as that around the lobed pattern on the cup. The only other case I know of an inlay of this shape is on an ivory box from Tylissos (Knossos I p. 482, Fig. 345).

I am enclosing my Technical Report in its final form for publication as you suggested. I take it that it will be published in its entirety and not altered or cut without my permission. The cup will be locked away in my private safe for the next three weeks whilst I am away on holiday.

From the photographs you sent me,it occurs to me that some of the gold inlays may have fallen into the silver bowl in which the cup was found and, if not too late, may still be discovered among the mud etc. if washed with dilute acetic acid.

Finally, Kendrick has asked me to enquire whether we may exhibit the cup in the B.M. for a short time before returning it to you. We can well understand your anxiety to see it, however, and perhaps you may prefer to arrange for a short loan at a later date. If you care to discuss this or any other matter my wife and I will be in Paris, on our return journey, at the Hotel du Rhone, 5 Rue J. J. Rousseau on Saturday 15th September, and I would be very pleased to renew our acquaintance.

Yours sincerely,

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