Ancient Engraved Gems in the National Museum in Kracow

The collection of ancient engraved gems in the National Museum in Krakow is considerable in size and top in quality. It consists mostly of the specimens assembled by the extraordinary collector and art dealer Constantine Schmidt-Ciazynski (1818-1889). Almost 780 cameos, intaglios, scarabs and finger rings are presented in this volume provenance from theBabylonian, Mycenaean, Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman cultural circles, and there are also smaller, but highly interesting groups of magical gems and amulets, Early Christian as well as Sassanian gems and seals. The collection is scarcely known and almost all objects are brought to the attention of a broader audience for the first time. Many of thesegems are the finest products in their specific classes, especially if it goes to the Augustan glyptics. There are several masterpieces like State Cameos presenting portraits of the members of Imperial families (either Julio-Claudian and later ones). There are also gems with unusual, ambiguous or very rare iconography. This book is not only a comprehensive annotated catalogue, where each specimen is broadly discussed and referenced to the newest literature, but also a study of the collection’s history as well as objects’ provenances. As a result, the volume should be of interest of archaeologists, art historians and all enthusiasts of classical culture and history of collecting.