Patriotic Britishers were fearful, last week, lest the famed Portland vase be sold across the sea to some wealthy U. S. art collector. A ten-inch cinerary urn found during the 16th century in an old Roman tomb, long owned by Dukes of Portland, the vase had been announced for auction by the present Sixth Duke, "owing to the exigencies of the present times." For 119 years the Portlands had loaned it to the British Museum. But last week, as it stood on display in Christie's London auction...
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