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_245 - 2
 

Onyx, Nicolo

Onyx, Nicolo Page of 384 Onyx, Nicolo Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
236
NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
coating over the coloured body of the vase ; and by cutting this away where required, the design stood out in relief, usually upon a dark-blue ground. The process, as the marks of the graver show, was precisely that employed in cutting camei in hard stones. Fragments of large vessels thus adorned are frequently met with amongst ancient ruins. Of the perfect the Portland Vase is the most famous specimen ; and next to this the Neapolitan, covered with an elegant arabesque of interlaced vine-branches (Vitedm, p. 332). These ambitious attempts are aptly termed by Martial, " audacis pleboia toreumata vitri,"—tormina being the technical name for ornamentation in relief, especially when executed upon the surface of vases, whether in metal or in stone. Another epigram (xiv. 115) informs us that the seat of this manufacture was Alexandria, and that the risk of breakage during the operation was very great, as might well be concluded from the fragility of the material : —
" Aspicis ingenium Nili quibus addere plura
Dura cupit, ah ! quoties perdidit auctor opus."
Yet the greatest artists of the day did not disdain to exercise their taste upon so valueless a medium, for the relievi on the vases above mentioned are far superior both in design and execution to any decorating the celebrated vases carved in the real Onyx. This application of the Glyptic art appears to be referable to Nero's times, as may be deduced from Pliny's observation (xxxvi. 66), that a peculiar mode of working glass (arte vitri) had then been discovered which made two small cups of the kind called pterotae, or two-handled, sell for 6000 sesterces (60Z.). So large a price could only have been commanded by their artistic excellence, and not for any novelty in the colour or body of the material; for it is mentioned in the same
Onyx, Nicolo Page of 384 Onyx, Nicolo
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page