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Carbunculus, Ruby

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CARBUNCULUS.
149
 
 

 
 
their eyes, would be frequently but a minor consideration. The ancient artists, on the contrary, chose only such stones as were best suited for the execution of their work, and for rendering the most perfect impression of it when required for use as a signet; always, for both these reasons, preferring the Sard, in which more engravings by the famous masters of antiquity will be found executed than in all the other gems put together. Entirely devoted to the one object, that of attaining to artistic perfection, they altogether disregarded the paltry glory of over­coming difficulties by the fruitless expenditure of their invalu­able time (a point in which many amongst the moderns, notably Louis Siries, placed their chief claim to reputation) ; neither did they ever dream of seeking for renown rather by the pre-ciousness of the material than by the excellence of the work itself.
Nevertheless, a few works in Ruby of apparently indisputable antiquity have been observed by me amongst the thousands of other gems examined. First, on account of the quality—a largo oval slightly convex stone, of the true " pigeon's blood"5 tint, and weighing apparently about 3 carats—is one in the Devon­shire Parure (No. 17 in the Bandeau), engraved with a Venus Victrix — a but poor intaglio in the latest Roman manner. A full-length figure of Osiris in half-relief, seems a produc­tion of the Egyptian Eevival under Hadrian. In Spinel, a most spirited Gorgon's Head in the Ehodes Gems, and a head of Pertinax, now in my possession.6 In Balais, the finest head of a Bacchante in existence, seen in front face, and crowned with ivy, the expression of the countenance full of a wild inspiration, and the treatment of the flesh and of the flowing hair beyond all praise : a masterpiece belonging to the best days of Roman Glyptic art. For, at the side is perceptible in neat, but almost microscopic, letters the name EAAHN, previously known as occurring upon an exquisite bust of Antinous repre-
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
       
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