Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-08-08
ANTIQUITY or JEWELRY.
Tho styles Most Popular In Aucicn
Egypt, Grceco md Rome.

|
The Styles Most Popular In AucIcn,
Egypt, Grceco md Rome.
Tho practice Of carving precious stones
Lamb in tho Jowolors' Wockly. Through
their hardness thcy woro susceptible to
tho highest polish, and thus retained
unimpaired tho lines and figures cut
upon them. Thoro aro no objects known
which In so small sphere called for
such elegance OF tasto and perfect skill
In ornamcntation or inscription. Tho
earliest gems appeared among tho
Egyptians chiefly as bectlc-shapod sig
nets worn in rings, and many of Thorn
wcro oxquisitoly engraved. Tho form
was oval and piorocd from end TO end
with hole through which thcro passed
strong wiro which kept tho stono in place
in ring. When worn tho fiat or seal sido
rested against tho finger, but when used
as seal 1t was turned. The Israolites
learned tho art of tho Egyptians and
tho Greeks adopted 1t and speedily OK
ccllcd all their predecessors.
1erodotus montions tho famous omer-
aid OF Polynates, and tho famo of its on
gravcr, Theodorus of Samos. This was
about 600 Is. G. Contemporary with tho
Greeks tho Etruscans achieved great OK
ccilenco In gcm engraving. Tho art
finally attained its highest perfection
iii Sicily and Magma Grmcia.
Gold was much used in Egypt as sot-
ting for precious stones, and upon 1t
were engraved favorito animals, divini-
ties, flowcrs, coats Of arms and hero
giyphics. There are many curious speci-
mems OF carly Egyptian art to be seen in
Now York City-in tho museum OF tho
Historical Socicty-among which Is n
diadcm in gold ornamcn,cd with tho
lotus flower; silver ring artistically
engraved with tho namo Amunoph Ill,
1880 Is. c.; q gold bird with outstrotchcd
wings inlaid with turquoise and lapis
luzuli; earrings chiefly in gold and va
riously ornamentcd-ono pair terminat-
ing in q tigers head holding in his
mouth an engraved stone, another in
the form OF cows head with car
bunclc set In tho forehead, and several
pairs terminating with heads OF lions,
bulls and tho dear gazcllc." There arc
also In this fine collection of antique
jcwclry tho gold necklace and earrings
bearing tho namo OF Mcncs, tho first
Pharaoh Of Egypt and tho earliest King
in history-supposed to havo been mado
2TT1 Is. C.
Tho Greeks wcro extremely ingenious
in devices. They practioed engraving
chiefly in intaglio, and some OF their
bost works arc In chalcedony and car
nclian. Ono celebrated specimen OF
Crock workmanship in carnclian Is tho
beautiful seal OF an unknown artist
which onco belonged to Michael Angelo
and was preserved in tho Imperial Lii
brary ut Paris. Tho engraving repre-
scnts vintage, and many copies OF it
have been mado. Such stones as had thl-
forcntly colorcd layers, like onyx, wero
found better adapted to tho relief stylo
OF engraving. Several OF tho most nota-
bio artists Of Greece established them
selves at Romo under tho Emporors.
In the time OF Augustus tho art reached
It's highest excellence, and cabinets OF
gems became numerous. 1t was q matter
OF prido with tho Old Roman gentlemen
to possess camoi and intngli OF value.
Tho passion for gems spread through
Franco, Germany and England and in
all civilized countries tho art OF cnrray-
ing on precious stones has over been
held in high estimation. The countries
thai have been foremost in producing
these stones arc Hindostan, Pegu, Coy
Ion and Siberia. although in modern
times Brazil and Peru have been notable
rivals in this class of gems. The Rus
sias' from their proximity to Siberia,
have become tho most lavish OF any peo-
plo in the world in their use OF gems
The head OF tho royal family Of Russia
could outshino any other ruler in tho
display of costly jewels, and diamonds.
emcralds, pearls and opals arc much
worn by tho Russian aristocracy. Other
fashionable stones in Russia, brought
from tho mountains OF Siberia, arc tho
amethyst, garnet, topaz, aquamarinc and
onyx. Engraved gems arc for tho most
part easily referred by connoisscurs to
their truo period, country and some
times to tho artist himself. Each had
his own cyphcr, which is commonly
found upon tho gem.