ENGRAVED AND CARVED GEMS 141
A
few even of the early writers were disposed to be sceptical as to the
virtues ascribed to these engraved gems, and did not hesitate to assert
that the Greek and Roman engravers executed their designs for
ornamental purposes rather than to fit the gems for use as talismans.
This was undoubtedly true in a large number of cases but nevertheless,
as we have seen, many engraved talismans were really cut in the early
centuries. As the art of gem engraving was not practised in the Middle
Ages, some medieval writers suppose that the engraved talis-manic gems
current in their time were not works of art, but of nature, and Konrad
von Megenberg accepting this view, gave it as his opinion that "God
granted these stones their beauty and virtue for the help and comfort
of the human race," adding that when he hoped to receive help from
them he in no wise denied the grace of God.35
Damigeron
writes of the sard that, if worn by a woman, it is a good and fortunate
stone. It should be engraved with a design showing a grape-vine and
ivy intertwined. 36
A celebrated topaz was that noted by George Agricola as being in the possession of a Neapolitan, Hadrianus Gulielmus.37 It bore, in ancient Roman characters, the terse and pregnant inscription:
Natura deficit, Fortuna mutatur. Deus omnia eernit.
