'Roman vase 16th century fake'

A TREASURED ancient artefact is a fake, it was claimed today.

The Portland Vase, celebrated as the most famous "cameo-glass vessel" from ancient Rome, was made by a 16th century artist, said an expert.

Eros, Poseidon and Aphrodite were thought to be among the seven mythological figures on the vase.

Jerome Eisenberg, a specialist in fakes in ancient art, claims the maker did not know enough about classical mythology for it to be from the Roman era.

"Such artistic naivety could clearly not have occurred during Roman times," Dr Eisenberg told The Times.

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