Quantcast
  Due to a new server, slow response may occur for which we apologize Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/king-natural-history/page_180 - 2
 

Corallium, Coral

Corallium, Coral Page of 453 Corallium, Coral Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
CORALLIUM.
171
existing at that time between Europe and India. It was as much sought after by the Indians, as pearls were by the Romans, and fetched as high a price ; the value of such things, as Pliny sagely remarks, being altogether arbitrary (ista, persuasione gen­tium constant). The beads (baccae) were as highly prized by the men of the Indians, as the Indian pearls by the Roman ladies. They were worn as a specially sacred amulet, as well as for ornament by their "prophets and diviners" (Brahmins); so they delighted in them both for their beauty and their supernatural virtues.
Every observation of Pliny's respecting the then trade with India is borne out by modern experience, Tavernier remarking that coral was by far the most profitable article that could be taken out to that country. At present a sphere, sound, good-coloured, and weighing an ounce, will command a higher price than any precious stone, either in China or Japan: being in request for the apex to the mandarin's cap of office.
The Romans seem to have employed Coral merely as an amulet and in medicine: the little branches were tied round children's necks to keep off the Evil Eye ; and powdered after calcination, it was taken in water for the stone and colic. Being of a cooling and astringent quality, it was an ingredient in salves for obstinate ulcers, for removing sears, and for complaints of the eyes. But Orpheus, who poetically fables it to have originated when the newly-severed Gorgon's head was laid down by Perseus on the sea-weeds, attributes to the Coral a long list of the most extra­ordinary virtues (570) bestowed upon it by Minerva. It baffled all witchcraft, counteracted poisons, protected from danger of tempests in sea-voyages, and from robbers in land-journeys, and, mixed in powder with the seed-corn, secured the growing crops from damage of thunderstorms, blight, caterpillars, or locusts. These notions were embraced by the mediaeval philosophers, as the section on " Coral " in Marbodus proves.
Hence Coral beads are often to be found set in the jewels of the Middle Ages in the same manner as the most precious gems. The small pointed branches mounted with a ring at one end for suspension, so extensively manufactured at Naples, are still in request there as amulets. Ferdinand I. devoutly believed in their
Corallium, Coral Page of 453 Corallium, Coral
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page