Quantcast
  We apologize for any slow response. This will be fixed before October 31st Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/king-gems-decorative-stones/page_126 - 2
 

Crystallus, Rock-crystal

Crystallus, Rock-crystal Page of 384 Crystallus, Rock-crystal Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
CRYSTALLUS.
117
found in jewelry set with the engraved side downwards upon a gold or an azure foil. The effect thus produced is very singular, the figures appearing as though cut in relief upon a transparent gem, a Topaz, or a Sapphire, and the illusion so perfect as only to be detected by the touch. A veiled bust of the Madonna thus treated and set in a ring which lately came under my notice was a remarkable example of this curious effect, the head appearing in high relief, though upon a really plane surface. This whimsical appli­cation of engraved Crystals seems to remount to the last ages of the Lower Empire ; certain it is that we find it the general rule in Carlovingian art. Of this the most remark­able examples are the flat circular plaque, six inches in diameter, which served from time immemorial for the morse to the vestments of the Abbot of Vézor sur Meuse. It is covered with numerous groups, representing the story of Susanna and the Elders, engraved in a peculiar and slight intaglio, and explained by neatly-cut legends under­neath each. The reversing of the letters in these and in the central medallion, " Lotharius Rex me fieri fecit," demon­strates that the subject was intended to be looked at through the hack of the crystal plaque. This precious monument of the expiring Glyptic art is now mounted in a silver-gilt frame in the later Gothic style, but which ever passed, like innumerable other ecclesiastical jewels, for the genuine work of St. Eloi. The other piece of the same period is unusually large, being 7 x 3-1/2 inches in length and breadth, and very deep from the extreme convexity of its back. The subject is the Crucifixion : at the foot of the Cross writhes the bruised Serpent ; Mary and John stand on each side in flowing Anglo-Saxon drapery. The technique of the engraving indicates clearly that it came from the same school, perhaps from the same hand, as the preceding work. The convexity of the reverse, which is highly polished,
Crystallus, Rock-crystal Page of 384 Crystallus, Rock-crystal
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page