is
roughly kidney-shaped. Any flaws, specks, or other defects on the
stones are commonly covered by means of inscriptions in gold cunningly
engraved upon them. These inscriptions are generally love mottoes, such
as " Naznin,"—" Darling;" " Fidyat shavam; "—" Yours,
body and soul" : or sometimes a verse of the Koran will be inscribed.
These engraved Turquoises are usually sold (in Meshed) glued on to the
ends of pieces of stick, around which red paper has been neatly
wrapped, to set them off. The slightest tinge of green in a Turquoise
renders it practically of no value. It should be noted by purchasers
that dampness will often temporarily revive the colour of a faded
Turquoise. No one in Meshed would think of buying a stone of any
reputed value without keeping it by him moist for a few days.
It
was ordained by God, through Moses, that the Ephod of the Jewish High
Priest should be " all of Blue." The sacred Hebraic colours (still
retained) are " blue," that of heaven and truth; " purple," that of
royalty ; and " red," that of sacrificial blood. The significance and
bodily influences, widely attached to various colours, when
characterizing clothing, and personal ornaments, are very remarkable.
William Blake, who has been credited with a special artistic insight
into sacred mysteries, argued for pink as the colour of angels ; this
hue denoting pure happiness. Plain white expresses calm, unbiassed
judgment. Thus Bacon appeals to the " white light of reason." But none
the less is there a strong belief in the unluckiness of white as a
colour, particularly among the peasant class of Staffordshire. Probably
this dislike has actually originated from the difficulty of keeping the
garments clean in that black, smoky, manufacturing
