Portland Vase

Portland Vase, called also the Barberini Vase, from the fact of its formerly having been in the Barberini Palace, is a Greek cinerary urn of dark-blue glass with white enamel reliefs. It is ten inches high by seven inches round, and has two handles, and was discovered at Monte del Grano. Sir William Hamilton bought it in 1770, and it came into the possession of the Duchess of Portland, and in 1810 the Duke of Portland lent it to the British Museum, where it is still to be seen. It was broken in 1845 by a madman, but was skilfully repaired.