12 août 2012

Red Spessartine Garnet Natural Etched Crystal

Miniature Sword (shamshir). Turkey, 1601-1602. SSteel, inlaid with gold and rubies (blade); serpentine, gilded brass, rubies (hilt); gilded brass, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, garnets (sheath). L: 4 13/16 x W: 3/4 x D: 3/8 in. (12.22 x 1.91 x 0.9 cm); W with chain: 1 3/16 in. (3 cm). 51.80. Acquired by Henry Walters, 1903. The Walters Art Museum These three miniature daggers (51.79, 51.80, and 51.81) fit inside a compartment in the butt of the rifle. Provenance: R. S. Pardo, Constantinople [datea and... [Lire la suite]

Calcite

Left Greave. Greek, 6th century BC. Bronze. H: 15 15/16 x W: 4 1/8 x D: 4 15/16 in. (40.5 x 10.5 x 12.5 cm). 54.2336. Museum purchase, 1949. The Walters Art Museum A greave is armor that protects the kneecap and lower leg. This example has elaborate decoration in repoussé (a technique in which metal is impressed from the rear to form a raised design), including the face of a lion over the knee and lines emphasizing the muscles of the calf on either side. Tiny holes lining the top and bottom edges secured... [Lire la suite]

Chalcopyrite Pyrite

Flask for Priming Power with the Justice of Trajan. German, 1530-1550. Gilded copper alloy, 3 9/16 x 5 5/16 in. (9 x 13.5 cm). 51.1334. Acquired by Henry Walters, 1927. The Walters Art Museum The fine relief represents the emperor Trajan (AD 98-117), setting out on horseback from Rome, who is approached by a poor widow who calls out, "To Trajan I appeal for justice!" Her only son had been murdered, and she was unable to obtain justice. Having established the truth of her story, Trajan satisfied her... [Lire la suite]

Quartz & Aegirine

Dagger Handle. Turkey, mid 16th century. Walrus ivory. 4 3/16 x 1 13/16 x 7/8 in. (10.6 x 4.6 x 2.2 cm). 71.571. Acquired by Henry Walters, 1905. The Walters Art Museum This is a rare example of a 16th-century Turkish ivory hilt, delicately carved in relief with arabesque designs of interlacing foliage scrolls. Provenance: Michel Boy, Paris, by purchase; Sale, Hotel Drouot, Paris, May 15, 1905, no. 337; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1905 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Chinese Fluorite slab.

Dagger from a Rifle Set. Turkey, 1732-1733. Steel, decorated with gold, rubies (or spinels), beryls. 1 3/4 x 11 13/16 x 5/8 in. (4.4 x 30 x 1.7 cm). 51.76. Acquired by Henry Walters, 1903. The Walters Art Museum Provenance: Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1903 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.