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| Ring Germany ca. 1580 agate cameo of Medusa, enameled-gold setting Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Pendant Italy ca. 1550-1600 agate cameo of Augustus Caesar, gold setting with pearl Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
Jewels that survive from past centuries have already died as objects of any specific superstition. Reduced to aesthetic mementos, they no longer frighten anybody, no longer provide magical consolations. Now, in fact, the awe they still may occasionally be able to excite is the flat, mute, ignorant wonder that these strange little objects survive at all. Deprived of human warmth, they are now no more than toys, a collection of visual toys. But at least they are no longer merchandise.
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| Pendant Germany late 16th century sardonyx cameo, enameled-gold setting with pearl Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Pendant The Barbor Jewel, England ca. 1615-25 onyx cameo of Queen Elizabeth I enameled-gold setting with rubies, diamonds, pearls Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Pendant Germany ca. 1730 antique cameo, gold setting with amber, turquoises, rubies Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Ring Roman Empire 5th century onyx intaglio of Ganymede, engraved gold setting Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Brooch-Pendant Augusto Castellani, Italy 1887-88 sapphire intaglio of battle scene enameled-gold setting with pearls, rubies, diamonds Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Signet Ring Italy ca. 1580 bloodstone intaglio with the Head of John the Baptist enameled-gold setting Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Pendant The Gatacre Jewel, England ca. 1550-60 amethyst cameo enameled-gold setting with pearls Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Pendant Italy ca. 1830 antique agate cameo of Bacchus surrounded by Bacchantes gold setting Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Pendant Western Europe ca. 1650 agate cameo of Livia, wife of Augustus enameled-gold setting Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Pendant Hungary 17th century agate cameo enameled-gold setting with rock-crystals and garnets Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Pendant Switzerland ca. 1810-1820 hardstone cameo openwork silver setting with marcasites and pearls Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
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| Brooch Italy ca. 1550-1650 agate cameo of panther Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
I am grateful to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London for the excellent images.