Letter from Megaw to Schaeffer on the replica of the bull bowl and the resumption of excavations at EnkomiArthur Hubert Stanley Megaw

Printed: GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS

Printed: crest

[printed: DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES, NICOSIA.]

[Our Ref.: 36/36/2 Your Ref.: R.4.4]

19th May, 1952

Dear Dr. Schaeffer,

Thank you for your letter of 29th April about the bowl. I have also heard from Ashmole, who confirms that Plenderleith advises against the reproduction of the bowl by electrotyping in the normal manner, but without indicating that there is any alternative. If, as you indicate, there is another, slower but safer, method which can be undertaken in the British Museum, I would agree to extend the loan for the extra period this slower method of reproduction would require. I should be very pleased if you arrange for the presentation of the bowl at the Society of Antiquaries during its sojourn in London. I would also agree to a further extension to permit exhibition of the bowl in the Louvre later in the year and to enable you to study it on your return to France at the end of the year and have drawings made, provided it returns here, shall we say, before the 1st of February 1953. It will be understood that during all these wanderings you remain responsible for the bowl and for its safe return.

I am therefore writing to Ashmole asking him to make arrangements for the preparation of a reproduction as soon as the British Museum exhibition is over, or after its subsequent visit to Burlington House if that has not been arranged [handwritten: Before] the British Museum exhibition, using whatever method Plenderleith considers will produce good results without damage to the bowl.

I presume you will be informing Ashmole to whom the bowl (and the replica) should be delivered when they arrive in Paris, where I agree they should travel by Diplomatic bag. The bowl should eventually return to the Foreign Office in London by the same route for onward despatch to Cyprus by the Colonial Office in the Governor's bag.

I look forward to the IIM articles and will distribute copies you are kindly sending as you wish.

We also await the text-sheets and plates of Enkomi- Alasia I, including the second consignment announced in your letter of 10th May we have now received, for which many thanks. I shall have the sheets bound with 4 blank pages as you suggest.

I shall be here during your campaign at Enkomi except possibly for a short absence in Turkey during September. I note that your Assistants may come in advance to do some work on the town wall. We shall do what we can to help them, with loan of staff or otherwise. The little axes have been ordered.

I look forward to meeting M. Masson if he comes here next year; we have had much correspondence. We had a visit from the Daux this month and there has been another party from the French School at Athens. Berard and an assistant are expected next month to join in the soundings started by Mitford at Kato Paphos last year. A medievalist Jean Richard is here at present. So France is well represented in our Museum's visitors book this year!

With kind regards to you and Mme. Schaeffer, in which my wife joins, and congratulations on your daughter Beatrice's marriage.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. C.F.A. Schaeffer, M.A., D.Litt.

Handwritten: signature