Jeffrey Spier Boeken

An illuminating study of Persia's interactions and exchange of influences with ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. číst celé

Throughout the Middle Ages, Roman gems and cameos were highly valued as intrinsically precious objects or even as possessing magical properties. During the Renaissance, large collections of gems were formed by aristocratic collectors who sought inspiration from the classical images engraved on them, and gems have been collected for similar reasons ever since. With the exception of a few dedicated antiquaries, however, collectors and scholars over the last five hundred years or so have generally ignored late antique and early Christian gems. This study presents more than 1000 gems from different collections, more than 300 of them unpublished so far. They are presented according to different genres, themes, material and place or time of production. The catalogue is completed by about 1300 illustrations.

The Yevdayev Collection features 59 remarkable ancient rings from Egypt, Phoenicia, Persia, Greece, Etruria, and Rome, spanning from the second millennium BC to the fourth century AD. These rings, primarily crafted from gold or silver and often adorned with gems, showcase a variety of shapes and materials, including semiprecious stones, amber, and shell. The collection opens with four Egyptian rings from the New Kingdom, including an amethyst scarab in a gold swivel-ring and a cornelian ring bearing the cartouche of Pharaoh Thutmose III. It also includes rare Hittite and Persian rings. Phoenician examples from the seventh to fifth century BC consist of gold and stone scarabs. Unique pieces include Achaemenid and Sasanian Persian rings, a distinctive diamond ring likely from the Kushan period, and a Scythian-style Central Asian ring. Greek and Roman rings are well-represented, with Classical Greek examples featuring engraved bezels and Hellenistic rings often set with large gems. Roman rings, dating from Augustus to the fourth century AD, include finely engraved gems and rare materials like rock crystal and amber. The collection is notable for its exceptional design, craftsmanship, and rich imagery, appealing to students of ancient art, collectors, and jewelry enthusiasts. The accompanying text contextualizes the rings historically and artistically, offering valuable technical insights.