RELIGIOUS USES OF PRECIOUS STONES 267
Many
other examples of these "natural gems" are noted by early writers.
Among them was an agate gem in the treasury of the Basilica of St.
Mark, in Venice. Upon this gem appeared the head of a king, adorned
with a diadem,.the whole design being figured naturally by the veining
of the agate, and not owing anything to artifice. In the same city,
upon a column in the church of San Georgio Maggiore, could be seen the
likeness of Our Lord, hanging from the Cross.64
Such stones, with peculiar markings indicating the form of human heads and figures, were regarded as the work of higher powers.
Another remarkable example is described by Kircher as follows: 05
In
Rome, in the Chapel of the Sacred Virgin, near the organ to the right
hand of those who enter the Church of St. Peter, an image may be seen
in which the Blessed Virgin of Loreto is so artistically depicted by
Nature that it appears to be the work of an artist's hand. She is
attired in a triple garment, divided by a zone, and holds in her arms
the child, who is distinguished by a crown, as is the mother. Around
may be seen the figures of angels.
The
red spots upon the bloodstone were said in Christian legend to
represent the blood of Christ. This idea has been beautifully utilized
in some gems cut from this stone, whereon the thorn-crowned head of
Christ is so placed that the red spots of the bloodstone figure the
drops of blood trickling down the hair and face of the Saviour. Such a
gem might well be looked upon as a Christian amulet and one that could
be reverently worn by any believer.
"Chiocci,
"Museum Calceolarium," Veronœ, 1622, p. 251. "Kircher, "Mundus
Subterraneus," Amstelodami, 1665, p. 36; Tabula IV, Fig. 6.
