Featured Extremely Small Stone Carving

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Figtree3, Nov 10, 2018.

  1. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    A friend posted this on Facebook. I notice it originally appeared one year ago today. I love this!

    There are longer articles out there, but this one has the largest and best pictures, I think:
    https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2017/11/small-stone-carving-change-art-history/

    Here are other articles, from University of Cincinnati Magazine
    https://magazine.uc.edu/editors_picks/recent_features/unearthingamasterpiece.html

    And from the New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/06/science/greece-griffin-warrior-archaeology-homer.html
     
    Figtree3, Nov 10, 2018
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  2. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    Fascinating !
     
    johnnycb09, Nov 10, 2018
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    i need help and Sandra like this.
  3. Pat P

    Pat P Well-Known Member

    Wow, that's amazing, especially at such a small size.

    I wonder if the sculptor was totally unique in his/her time and it's not truly representational of what other people in the same time period and culture were doing?
     
    Pat P, Nov 10, 2018
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    judy, i need help and Sandra like this.
  4. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    It is actually quite large compared to the majority of early intaglios, which were the right size & shape to be set in a ring. The overall shape fascinates me nearly as much as the engraving. Not a standard geometric shape, not easy to get so close to symmetrical. Have never seen any ancient gem with such an eccentric shape; surprised they do not comment on it.
     
    Bronwen, Nov 10, 2018
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  5. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    WOW!!! Amazing AND Fascinating!!! Thanks for posting, Fig!!!
     
    Aquitaine, Nov 10, 2018
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  6. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    It is beautiful, and stunning artistry.
    I am sure other perfect gems, whether gemstones or other skillfully made objects, will be found in the future. We, in our 'modern' arrogance, tend to underestimate the skills of those who came before us. Little treasures like this prove us wrong.
    A warrior's intaglio, could it be based on a shield shape?
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2018
    Any Jewelry, Nov 11, 2018
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    moreotherstuff, judy, Figtree3 and 1 other person like this.
  7. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    Oh, that's interesting. I didn't realize...
     
    Figtree3, Nov 11, 2018
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  8. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    When Mercutio explains to his companions in Romeo & Juliet who Queen Mab is and describes her, 'agate stone' is the usual type of intaglio used in a ring seal and he means to tell us just how small she is:

    O, then I see Queen Mab hath been with you.
    She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes
    In shape no bigger than an agate stone
    On the forefinger of an alderman,

    Read more at http://www.monologuearchive.com/s/shakespeare_067.html#6FdqOsSHc1x6zEbJ.99
     
    Bronwen, Nov 11, 2018
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