Letter from Megaw to Schaeffer on arrangements made with Ashmole for the exhibition and funding of the replica of the bull bowl, with copy of his letter to Ashmole enclosedArthur Hubert Stanley Megaw

Copy F.1. of Dr. C.F.A.Schaeffer

56/56/3

DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES, CYPRUS.

Nicosia, 16th April, 1952.

Dear Ashmole,

I understand you have heard from Schaeffer, who has given you the "all-clear" for the exhibition of the Enkomi bowl. He asked me to let you have any comments on his suggested label, which reads as under, but I have none.

"Silver bowl inlaid with gold and niello found by Dr. C.F.A.Schaeffer in an intact tomb of the XIV cent. B.C. at Enkomi-Alasia (Cyprus). (See Schaeffer Enkomi, vol.I, p.379 (pl.CXVI). French Archaeological Mission and Cyprus Government joint Expedition to Enkomi, 1950. Temporary loan by the Antiquities Department Cyprus".

He also made the very sensible suggestion that we should avail ourselves of the opportunity provided by its sojourn in London to have a replica of the bowl made in the British Museum, to be retained by the Louvre or of the Cyprus Museum, whichever does not receive the original as a result of the division. I certainly agree that this should be done if it can be done without harm to the original. Nor have I any objection to a second replica being made for the British Museum if it would like to have one.

Schaeffer says he has asked you to let him know the cost of the first replica. When it is ready I think it should go to him, since the original is returning to us pending the division. As to when the original should be despatched, Schaeffer is counting on seeing it here when he returns in September, so I suggest you send the original over to the Colonial Office for despatch in the Governor's bag before the end of July.

Handwritten: signature

Prof. Bernard Ashmole, British Museum, London.