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Ch. 6: Gemstones in Ornaments

Ch. 6: Gemstones in Ornaments Page of 401 Ch. 6: Gemstones in Ornaments Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
     
     
 
DIFFERENT KINDS OF ORNAMENTS.                   103
loaded with rings; each joint is adorned with precious stones";

while one prominent Roman, who was, undoubtedly, a representative of many others, displayed sixteen rings on his fingers
at once. The Romans had their summer and their winter rings,
and the Greeks had their rings for each week in the year.
Heliogabalus, who has been called the greatest fop of all the
Emperors of Rome, never wore the same ring twice ; but this
effeminate prince was excelled by a German noble of a later
period, who had not only a ring, but, a snuff-box, both ornamented with gems, for each day in the year.
The most important quality of the ring, according to tradition, was its power to endow the possessor with the gift of
eloquence ; hence, they became important to lawyers when
pleading, and to poets when reciting their verses, and they
ought to be in great demand in these times of oratorical efforts.
When this jewel was set with a stone engaved with representations of the planets, it was thought to be invested with
remarkable virtues, and was employed in mystic rites ; it
became a sure protection against certain maladies, after receiving the royal blessing, and it is still regarded by many as a
talisman.
The Gemmel, or Jumelle, — The betrothal ring is very
ancient ; some antiquaries believe it is of Hebrew origin. Marriage rings set with intagli were in use among the Romans at
an early period in their history, as represented in their ruins ;
and probably the gemmel was familiar to them. In Pliny's
time, it consisted of iron set with lodestone, signifying a
mutual surrender of liberty ; sometimes it was made of two
hoops, one inside the other, engraved with the names of the
betrothed, and could be worn separately. The belief, still prevalent, that the loss of the bridal ring is an ill omen, is a superstition which had its origin in a past age.
 
 

 
     
Ch. 6: Gemstones in Ornaments Page of 401 Ch. 6: Gemstones in Ornaments
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