[MR] New Book on Engraved Gems and Seals

[Garth G. Groff]

Noble friends,

It has been a long time since I posted a review of a new book in the UVA 
Library collection. I regret the lapse, but many of our purchases now 
come "shelf-ready" and don't go through the Cataloging Department at 
all. In addition, there has been a severe squeeze on book buying this 
past year due to funding cuts. So it was a great pleasure when a book 
landed on my desk today that might be of great interest to many Scadians 
in the A&S community.

The book is GEM ENGRAVING IN BRITAIN FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE PRESENT, WITH 
A CATALOGUE OF THE BRITISH ENGRAVED GEMS IN THE STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM 
by Julia Kagan (ISBN 9781407305578; our call # NK5720.5 .G7 K34 2010). 
While this work covers spans Roman times to more current art, there are 
three chapters which explore the Tudor period: 2. "Portrait gems of the 
Tudor period"; 3."Cameo insignia and intaglio seals"; and 4. "The first 
collections". While a scholarly work, the brief scan I did showed the 
text to be quite readable. The chapters are well illustrated with 
black-and-white and color photos of these lovely gems, and includes 
carvings showing Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh, and many 
others. For all of you interested in period jewelry, this book will be a 
welcome read.

Kind regards,


Lord Mungo Napier, Archer of Mallard Lodge
(mka Garth Groff, UVA Libraries Cataloging Dept.)