Quantcast
  We are temporarily changing parts of Farlang until November 30th and apologize for any inconvenience Portal logo
Login/Register
 
/gemstones/king-gems-decorative-stones/page_070 - 2
 

Callais, Turquois

Callais, Turquois Page of 384 Callais, Turquois Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
CALLAIS AND CALLAINA.
61
certain graminivora, by immersion in a strong alkaline solution of sulphate of copper, are speedily converted into a regular Occidental Turquois, more especially as regards their enamel.
That our Turquois, i.e. " Turkish-stone," a name con­taining in itself an analogy to the antique " Persicus " Smaragdus, is in truth no other than that stone, is to a certain extent deducible from Theophrastus' notice of the special employment of the latter in the ëéèïêüëëø-á, or jewelled plate of his own times. Although no specimens of that remote antiquity have come down to us, we may safely conclude from the invariableness of Oriental iisages that the Persian inlaid jewelry (the only make known to the Eresian philosopher) was then, as now, set, or rather incrusted, with no other gem than the Turquois. When enamels came into fashion under the Lower Empire, their predominating blue was doubtless intended to represent economically the more precious natural production. In­deed, the Merovingian gold dish, known as the "Lanx of Gourdon" (Bib. Impériale), probably a Byzantine work, displays in each corner an inlaid heart of Turquois.
The Turquois became known to the Greeks by its occur­rence in the spoils brought home by the Macedonian soldiers from their Persian campaigns, the goblets, dishes, and armour of gold—over all of which this lovely gem was as profusely lavished by the ancient Achaemenidae as by their modern representatives, whose splendour in this par­ticular struck the jeweller Chardin with amazement when he was permitted to inspect the Shah's treasure-house. To give one example only from antiquity : the sheath by itself of the sword of Mithridates (when his corpse in its royal attire was sent to Sylla) was valued at 400 talents (80,000Z.). One Publius purloined this piece, and sold it afterwards to King Ariarathes.
Callais, Turquois Page of 384 Callais, Turquois
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page