At present we have only mentioned existing examples; but the ancient
writings furnish us with other no less important matter. The description
of the celebrated Ark of Moses, and of the Tabernacle, taken with that
of the Temple of David, contains a complete history of polychromy. This
curious recital of Jewish antiquities presents us with a progressive
development of that elementary principle of architecture which I term
“the Enclosure.”
The documents and chronicles of other nations furnish us with parallels
to what is contained in the holy writings. The Temple of the Slaves at
Mechlenburg, according to the description of Baron von Rumohr, on the
faith of ancient chroniclers; was constructed in the Oriental fashion,
and richly ornamented with tapestry and gilded wood work.