|
THE ORIGIN OF THE RING
|
31
|
||
|
|
|||
|
Rings
are not in favor with the Eskimos, who do not appear to make or wear
any. Indeed, Admiral Peary found it impossible to dispose of a lot of
rings he had taken with him on one of his Arctic trips in the belief
that they would be attractive to the Eskimos, and good objects of
barter.47 Perhaps in the intense Arctic cold even the
slightest pressure on the finger may have been avoided, lest it should
impede circulation and increase the danger of having the fingers
frost-bitten.
The
Mendaeans of Mesopotamia are the silversmiths of this region, and they
exhibit much skill in their work. The greatest demand is for cigarette
cases and for signet rings and seals, although they make a variety of
other small ornamental objects. Their methods of work are quite
characteristic. In the case of the smaller objects, such as rings,
etc., they hammer them out from a heated silver bar. When the general
form has been attained, they work up the surface with a steel file or
pencil, which has a triangular point; with it the desired design is
laboriously engraved. This process being completed, a black metallic
powder, made into a paste, is rubbed over the entire surface, naturally
accumulating more or less, according to the greater or lesser depths of
the cuttings; the object is then placed in a charcoal forge and fired.
After it has remained therein long enough, it is removed and the
superfluous powder is rubbed or worked off. The completed ring or other
ornament then offers most beautiful contrasts between the bright silver
and the lustrous black inlay. The Mendœans are sometimes called
"Christians of St. John," because of their great veneration for John
the Baptist.
47 Communicated by Admiral Peary in a letter to the author, February 13, 1916.
|
|||
|
|
|||