2 Ancient Jewelry. 



are represented in some cases in the state in which they were 

 worn, instead of in their present dilapidated condition. With 

 the exception of No. 1, an earring reduced from many 

 examples of the same ornament on the colossal figures of the 

 Assyrian bas-reliefs, the specimens shown are to be found in 

 the cases of the British Museum. The very curious and 

 beautiful collection of relics discovered at Thebes, and 

 exhibited by the Pasha of Egypt at the English International 

 Exhibition of 1862, would not have served the writer's pur- 

 pose equally well, the majority of them not coming within the 

 category of jewelry, being testimonial pieces, or symbols of 

 office. These relics have been fully explained by Dr. Birch, 

 and carefully copied and illuminated by Mr. Kiddle, of the 

 War Office.* They are, it is believed, the most ancient 

 specimens of art-workmanship in the precious metals in 

 existence, dating from about B.C. 1800/ or 3600 years ago. 

 They will be again referred to. 



It is surprising how far into the inner life of a people an 

 examination of the works under review may lead; for the 

 existence of one fact, proved to demonstration by the work 

 itself, helps to establish other facts not so patent, and to suggest 

 consequences of great interest, and of the utmost import- 

 ance in determining the condition of art-manufacture at the 

 period referred to. When, in opening some ancient British 

 tumulus, the antiquarian unearths a rude ornament of gold, 

 probably the breast or neck decoration of a chief, and finds it 

 to consist of a simple thin plate, beaten into something like 

 shape to serve its important purpose; having no mark of 

 chasing-tool or graver, and, above all, no union by solder of 

 two parts together, he must inevitably come to the conclusion 

 that the goldsmith's art, at the time the ornament was made, 

 must have been in the most primitive condition. It must be 

 at once evident that here is simply a piece of hammer- work, in 

 the making of which little taste and less skill have been 

 exerted. On the other hand, every little addition to the naked 

 piece of metal is not only a proof of a higher state of art in 

 itself, but is evidence of progress in other directions of a 

 kindred nature. Even so small a thing as a piece of wire is a 

 sign of a decided advance in art upon the original crude plate; 

 and, moreover, it shows progress in mechanical appliances ; 

 for the production of a piece of wire implies the possession of 

 tools of an exact and complex character. Examined in' this 

 way, the process of manufacture of a simple piece of jewelry 

 will serve to show the existence of other arts than that*of the 

 goldsmith. 



* Facsimiles of the Egyptian Relics Discovered at Thebes, 4to, London, 

 1863. 



