Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Explanatory Catalogue of the Proof-Impressions of the Antique Gems Possessed by the Late Prince Poniatowski, and Now in the Possession of John Tyrrell, Esq.: Accompanied With Descriptions and Poetical Illustrations of the Subjects, and Preceded by an Essay on Ancient Gems and Gem-Engraving
Among the most ardent admirers and indefatigable collectors of rare Gems were the Kings of Poland. Their collection went on accumulating during successive reigns, until the fall of that dy nasty. The Prince Poniatowski, to whom the cabinet descended by inheritance, was unceasing in his endeavours to augment the series. Endowed with a fine perception of the arts, and a correct critical judgment, he succeeded, at great expense, in adding many valuable specimens that had been dispersed through Europe; and thus formed the most extensive and splendid collection known in modern times. The entire collection of Medallions in this cabi net, amounting to upwards of twelve hundred, having, with very few exceptions, come into my possession, proof impressions, pre serving, with the utmost fidelity, all the delineations and expression of the originals, and offering a variety of pleasing and instructive studies to the artist, have been carefully prepared from them under my own immediate inspection, and are now, for the first time, submitted to the public; this being, according to the judgment of many eminent artists who have examined the gems, the only mode of giving a true and perfect fac-simile of their exquisite dehneafion. It is unnecessary here to enumerate the testimonies of men of the highest authority as to the consummate purity and splendour of the stones, or the surpassing execution of the sculpture. It may suffice to say, that among other eminent artists who borrowed designs from the Gems in this collection was the celebrated Canova, - his Mars and Venus, from No 112, Class I. And his Hercules hurling Lichas into the Sea, from No. 463, Class II., &c. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
