Catalogue of the Collection of Antique Gems Formed by James, Ninth Earl of Southesk Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 Excerpt: ...for its tail; to right of which a ram's head (r.), holding in its mouth two ears of corn. Red Jasper; ov. 4 x 3i-Gold ring. Rome. Tyszkiewicz Coll. (Lot 80). R. F.: 1883. Red jasper seems to have been a favourite material for grylli. An excellent specimen of the kind, rich and fantastic in details, and--of its class--very well engraved, though in that respect far inferior to the immediately preceding. Professor Furtwangler describes this gryllus, but without comment. (Furtw., A.G., p. 242; pi. 1, 23.) I 7. GRYLLUS. BEARDED MALE HEAD, capped with a ram's head and fore-legs (r.). Profile, straight beard; on back of head a ram's head with fore-leg in its mouth. Rev.: AOMNA KAAH. Sard; ov. 3 x 2. Gold swivel. Phc.: 1878. An indifferent intaglio on sard. Its sole interest consists in the inscription on the reverse, in honour, no doubt, of the owner's mistress. I 8. MOUSE, driving a chariot drawn by two flies (r.). Profile, standing on hind-legs in roughly designed chariot, whip and reins in the extended fore-paws; flies crawling, back uppermost. Sard; ov. 4 x 3-Iron ring (ancient). 1st Cave Coll. (Lot 22): 1884. Once some slave's property, being in an iron ring; a very rough piece of work on sard, worth little, but decidedly amusing. The mouse is masculine, the flies are feminine; there is a veiled meaning in the subject which need not be plainly set down. I 9. Two FIGHTING COCKS, standing on a signet-ring which encircles a figure of Victory (r. and /.). Birds facing, one crouched (/.), the other erect (r); to /. of signet-ring a wheat ear on stalk; to r., a palm branch; within hoop of signet-ring, winged Victory, with palm and garland, walking (r.), lull draped. Burnt Sard; ov. 4 x 3. Gold ring (Beckford pattern). Fwh.: 1883. A neatly engraved design in a Beckf...