New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-31
ANTIQUE AND MEDIAEVAL GEMS.
A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION TO BE
SOLD FOR THE BENEFIT OF VARIOUS EN-

SOLD FOR THE BENEFIT OF VARIOUS EN-
CELLENT CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
On Monday, Tuesday and wednesday. February
T. and s, there will b. exhibited in the galleries
OF Durand-Ruel No. $50 Fifth-ave., and on Thurs-
day and Friday afternoons and evenings. February
Z and s. there will be sold In the same galleries. py
Messrs. Ortges & Co.. unique and valuable col
lection Of ancient and medieval jewelry, NINA
lures enames. unset gems majocas and objects
Of art for the benefit OF the Charity Organization
Society," Association for Improving the Condition
OF the Poor Chldrens Aid Society, City Mission
and Tract Society and the State Charities Aid AS
ISOLATION The donor OF this collection Is a gentle
man OF NewYork. who wishes anonymously to help
these charities in their abors. 1t represents the
fruits OF twenty years residence In Southern Italy,
at a period when Il was still possible TO gather
fine specimens of early italian art workmanship,
and betrays the task OF a skilled and cultured ANA
teur.
The cabinet OF gems represents examples OF Ro-
man. Grecian Egyptian, Assyrian Etruscan and
other antique masters while few are OF the
BYZANTINE medieval and modern schools. all veri-
table ha I'd stones (petro duro) with the exception
OF about half dozen pieces. which are OF antique
paste and catalogued as SUCH The mountings OF
the gems are mostly Of this century and In gold
Impressions in wax have been made OF the intasos
which give a clear idea OF the beauty Of workman
ship ard by the aid OF the large glasses provided at
each case a careful inspection OF the stones and the
seals can be had. AS the custom In the socal "orid
prevails OF sealing letters with we%' the idea OF
using the same seal which has done service IN the
hands of distinguished person OF the CLASSIC
period H. particularly fascinating The second Duke
of Wellington did much to popuarlze the fashion
in England by having mounted rings pnd seals
hundreds OF his ntaglios. Of which he'wa an
ardent collector and distributing them among his
friends.
The rings and seals comprised in this collection
especially charming and beautiful. as well az OF
intrinsic value. Cameo heads OF gods and Soddesses
cut with delicate and patient care, are carried 10
that extreme OF finish for which the ancients are
celebrated. The ligh,ness and grace OF attitude
cal forms render them objects OF deep interest
Perhaps the larger number OF stones are messed
sortment OF symbolic designs The Psycnes tne
Cupds the serpents, the eagle, heads or Minerva
as animated as II coursing in the circus; hunting
scenes and grotesque grill with then tailsnanlc
stamped with the traditions of other lands. the
fancies and beliefs of other peoples The stones
cipaly Opaque semi-ir ansparen;, such as jasper
Stone few also are engraved on amethyst and
emerald.
The mosaic offers specimens OF both the Roman
and Fiorentine schools OF the earlier period. and
1t was the aim Of the collector 10 gather examples
turtles The small but choice assortment of enamcls
comprises sleeve buttons earrings and variety OF
examples Of work both ivory and copper the
latter being principally religious In subject and OF
sixteenth century workmanship. Some curious and
interesting figures called Pastori said TO have
come from the suppressed monasterles OF Italy,
where they were used in tableaus representing the
festivals of the Church and to illustrate scenes from
the Bible These together with few interesting
and examples of majolicas. indicate the varied
character OF the collection.
Aside from the artistic and historical character
OF the objects offered. the charities are sure 10
appeal to the generosity OF citizens. TO give money
for worthy an OBJECT and to carry away with one
a souvenir of rare beauty and real value Is an OPP
porunity not frequently offered. and the Charity
Organization Society, with It's associated benef-
Charles, deserves to have most successful sale.