inscription and the arms of Pope Pius II. — 1458-1464.
The engraved stones embrace a large variety, including the
diamond, thus proving its use on the Eastern Continent before
the discovery of America.
The Azara collection, owned by a Spaniard of that name,
who lived during the last of the eighteenth century, comprises
many carnei and intagli of excellent workmanship.
The Berlin Collection. — This vast treasury of gems, one of
the most valuable in Europe, was founded by Joachim I., an
Elector of Brandenburg, and has been augmented from time to
time by his successors, until it has assumed its present proportions, numbering five thousand specimens, including fourteen
hundred set in rings and medallions. It includes the Stosch
collection, comprising between three thousand and four thousand gems, the antique pastes of Batholdy and others, numbering from eight hundred to nine hundred, besides other
acquisitions of a later date. The collection embraces examples
of the Egyptian and oriental styles, dating from their most
flourishing periods to 300 A. D., the oldest Greek and
Etruscan gems, those of the later Greek and Roman periods,
comprising intagli representing the gods, heroes, portraits,
historical events, animals, and ancient monuments, illustrating
the manners, weapons of war, utensils, etc., of that time. The
carnei include a large number, engraved with classical scenes to
a large extent, and contain some of great size and value ; as
the " Apotheosis of Septimius Severus," on an onyx measuring
eight and a half inches by seven, representing the Emperor
and Juno drawn in a triumphal car by two eagles ; this cameo
cost twelve thousand thalers. The finest gems are mounted
in gold, the remainder in silver, both with plaster casts beside
•each specimen.
The Stosch gems, named for their collector, who died in
