Letter from Schaeffer to Megaw on decisions to be taken for the bull bowlClaude Frédéric-Armand Schaeffer

29 avril 1952.

Dear M. Megaw,

Thank you for your letter of April 16th. I now got a reply from Ashmole concerning the bowl: 1. the exhibition will open May 23rd, when the article in ILN will be published. 2. There seems to be no time before the scheduled return of the bowl to Cyprus to prepare the electrotype replica. 3. On the other hand I have been asked by the Louvre authorities if it could be managed to put the bowl on temporary exhibition in Paris before its return to Cyprus.

I think I could manage that the bowl need not be in Nicosia when I return there in september for further work in Alasia(Enkomi). If you could give the bowl a further extension of its leave to Europe, I would propose you the following engagements for it: [handwritten: a)]Exhibition in London, B.M. and eventually presentation to the Ant. Soc. Burlington House, either by Kenrick, Ashmole or Wheeler on my behalf, for I am afraid I must cancel my journey to London on time because of pressure of work and earlier departure to the Near East. This would take end of May, June and July. [handwritten: b)]Melting of the replica in the BM. Ashmole says that the fragility of the bowl in its present condition precludes the use of either heat or pressure in moulding and dictates a slower procedure than those usually employed. Lets say that would take 3 months. So the bowl would be ready to leave London end of October. [handwritten: c)]It could then be exhibited in the Louvre (starting from I. to Jan. by dépt. hey as last time). November and December. On my return I then would have time to make the detailed study and the drawings of some details. [handwritten: d)]Return from Paris either directly or via London to Nicosia.

Let me know please if these proposals could receive your agreement. In this case you could write directly to Ashmole asking him to start with the work on the replica as soon as the exhibition (and eventual presentation) are over.

I shall write him to prepare me an estimate of the cost for the slow process which he has not given so far.

I shall also suggest the presentation under the condition that you agree to it. I think it would be better to present the bowl to the Antiquaries before its exhibition in the B.M. But that could be left to Kenrick and Ashmole.