292 Pearls. 



was a baroque Pearl weighing 1,800 grains, which is 

 thus described in the catalogue of the Hope collec- 

 tion, published in 1839: — 



*'A most extraordinary large specimen of an 

 Oriental Pearl, of an irregular pear shape, measuring 

 2 inches in length, 4J inches in circumference at the 

 broadest end, and 2>\ inches at the narrower end ; 

 weighing 3 ounces, or 1,800 grains. About ij inches 

 of the Pearl are of a fine bright orient ; the bottom 

 part is of a fine bronze tint, or dark green shaded 

 with copper colour. This gigantic Pearl was detached 

 from the shell, but it was deemed necessary to leave 

 a small portion of the shell adhering to it, but which 

 is of so fine an orient, and so well polished, that it is 

 not distinctly perceived to be of the nature of shell. 



" Considering the growth of Pearls in general, 

 that they are a morbid secretion of a species of 

 oyster, which is of small size, it is surprising to be- 

 hold, in the present specimen, a mass of Pearl which 

 must surpass the fish which formed it at least six 

 times in weight ; and we may presume that it is the 

 largest Pearl ever found. It is surmounted with a 

 royal crown of red enamelled gold, and studded with 

 fine brilliants, rubies, and emeralds." 



This specimen was for many years exhibited 

 at the South Kensington Museum, by permission of 

 A. J. Beresford-Hope, Esq., and was sold this year 



