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_303 - 2
 

Sardonyx

Sardonyx Page of 384 Sardonyx Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
294
NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
mens appear in the latest ages of the Byzantine Empire, but disfigured by designs in the wretched taste of that period, which, from their subjects, the Angelical Salutation, the Annunciation, figures of saints, &c, were evidently intended to ornament ecclesiastical plate.
The existence of this material at Constantinople to so late a period shows what is also manifest from other sources, that a direct trade with India was maintained by the Greeks down to the times of the final extinction of their empire. Amongst the presents, the most costly in the estimation ot the age (including a case of " named" relics of saints), sent by Alexius Comnenus to the Emperor Henry III., a vase of Sardonyx, and another of Crystal, held a conspicuous place. The artists of the Eevival executed some camei on a scale rivalling the dimensions of the most famous antique pieces. First amongst these stands the work of Gio. Ant. dei Bossi, a cameo circular in form and the third of a braccio, or 7-1/2 inches, in diameter, representing in half-length Cosimo I. and his consort Eleonora, supporting between them a shield charged with the lily of Florence, and accompanied by their five sons and two daughters.
The exact locality that supplied the Romans is indicated by Ptolemy, thus : " The most remarkable mountains in the known parts of India are the Apocopi Hills, called also the Pains of the Gods, and the Mount Sardonyx, in which the stone of the same name is found, its meridian being 117° 30' 21." The country between Mount Sardonyx and Bittigus is occupied by the Tabassi, a great nation." Velt-heim thinks this to be the range running between Ozene (Ougein) and Tagara (Dowlatabad).*
* Besides paying in gold and silver, of which this trade ruinously drained the empire, the Bornan merchants bartered amber, coral, copper, and lead, for these Indian commodities. " India neque ses neque plum­bum habet gemrnisque ac margaritis suis hsec permutât." Plin. xxxiv. 48.
Sardonyx Page of 384 Sardonyx
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page