"
Between the four Maltese crosses are four ornaments in the form of
French fleurs-de-lys, with four rubies in· their centres, and
surrounded by rose-diamonds : containing respectively 84, 86, 86, 87
rose-diamonds.
"
From the Maltese crosses issue four imperial arches composed of
oak-leaves and acorns : the leaves containing 728 rose, table, and
brilliant-diamonds : 32 pearls forming the acorns set in cups,
containing 54 rose-diamonds and one table-diamond. The total amount of
diamonds in the arches and acorns is 108 brilliant, 116 table, and 559
rose-diamonds.
"
From the upper part of the arches are suspended four large pendant
pear-shaped pearls with rose-diamond cups containing 12 rose-diamonds,
and stems containing 24 very small rose-diamonds. Above the arch stands
the Mound, containing in the lower hemisphere 304 brilliants,
and in the upper 244 brilliants : the zone and arc being composed of 33
rose-diamonds. The cross on the summit has a rose-cut sapphire4 (' blue beryl,' Barbot) in the centre, surrounded by 4 large brilliants and 108 smaller brilliants."
Summary op Jewels compeised in the Crown.
1
large ruby irregularly polished. 1 large broad-spread sapphire. l(i
sapphires. 11 emeralds. 4 rubies. 1363 brilliant-diamonds. 1273
rose-diamonds. 147 table-diamonds.
4 drop-shaped pearls. 273 pearls.
SACRED JEWELS.
Gems, both
unset and set, were from the very earliest times reckoned amongst the
most grateful offerings to the gods, and therefore dedicated in
profusion in their temples. Thus Boeckh's Inscriptions (dating from the
Peloponnesian War) enumerate in the Treasury of the Parthenon: "A large
onyx engraved with an antelope rutting, weighing 32 drachms; an onyx,
plain, 276 drs. and half an obole ; an onyx set in a gold ring ; an
Flickr
Stumbleupon
Scribd
