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SACRED USES OF PRECIOUS STONES. 123
whom the treasures of the cathedral were shown. The sacred
offerings of the Cathedral of Saragossa, though exceedingly rich in pearls and precious stones, were more fortunate in escaping the dispersion which befell the treasures of other Spanish churches during the French invasion of 1809. The Church of the Virgin del Pilar, a superb edifice, was
exceedingly affluent in precious stones. South Kensington Museum contains a collection of jewels purchased from its treasury, including more than five hundred, all ornamented with diamonds, pearls, rubies, and emeralds. The Cathedral of Naples is the repository of the crown of St. Januarius, the patron of the city, which is embellished with three thousand six hundred and ninety gems ; and the Certosa of San Martino, in the same city, is a marvel in the profusion of its gem-decorations. The Wenzel Chapel of the Cathedral of Prague is inlaid with Bohemian precious stones ; and a very large gilt crucifix studded with gems is seen in the chapel of the old royal palace at Berlin. The cross of King Lotharius, a work of the Carlovingian period (751-987), preserved in the Cathedral of Aix-la-Chapelle, is ornamented with arabesque tracery of pearls, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and amethysts. At the intersection of the arms of the cross is placed a cameo in onyx, three inches by two and one-half, representing the bust of Augustus. The king's signet on rock-crystal bears the date of A. D. 823. The Certosa di Pavia, the churches of San Ambrogio, Milan,
Or San Michele, Florence, and Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, are only a few of the numerous instances of the use of precious stones for the decoration of religious buildings. The high altar of San Ambrogio stili retains its antique reliefs on silver and gold embellished with gems, — a work of the eighth century. A cross, with several crystal vases, — the work of |
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