Hellenistic Engraved Gems: (Oxford Monographs on Classical Archaeology)

Engraved gems were used by the Greeks as seals and amulets, but were primarily valued as ornaments. Their iconography was drawn from a wide range of motifs and standard devices current in other art forms. In the Hellenistic period gem cutters remained faithful to the classical tradition, but were able to develop new subjects and styles. Portraits, especially of royalty, became the commonest subject in glyptic after Alexander, a practice that continued through the Roman period and was still popular with patrons and artists of the Renaissance and even later. This volume follows the development of gem engraving from Alexander's conquest of the East to the Augustan period. Hellenistic gems are studied in their archaeological and historical context: evidence on their use, significance, and value; questions of technique and style; and problems of chronology and distribution. Special sections have been devoted to patronage of gem-engravers and the relationship of gem-cutting with other miniaturist arts and coinage.

Review :
`provides much of interest both to gem specialists and to those with a more general interest in Hellenistic art and culture.' Zahra Newby, The Classical Review, Vol. 51, No.1, 2001 `there has not previously appeared such a comprehensive, wide-ranging review of the whole field, spanning its history as well as its geographical distribution, with particular attention paid to provenances. Plantzos's impressive analysis is firmly based on evidence sifted from archival, literary and archeological sources ... but above all, he has subjected the gems themselves to a penetrating scrutiny.' Gertrud Seidmann, Burlington Magazine, June 2000. `With its meticulous approach and wide range, this is a masterly account of one of the great ages of the glyptic art.' Gertrud Seidmann, Burlington Magazine, June 2000. `Plantzos has produced a gem of a book, very comprehensive and informative, which will no doubt stand the test of time and remain the reference on the subject for many years to come.' Koray Konuk, Anglo-Hellenic Review, No.22, 2000. `There is a wealth of contextual information which will please specialists and provide other scholars with knowledge that is difficult to find elsewhere ... Plantzos' prudent approach and well-founded comparanda give his chronological discussions a hallmark of reliability.' Koray Konuk, Anglo-Hellenic Review, No.22, 2000. `a welcome source book addition to the confidential field of classical glyptic, and all the more so because it covers a period which has never been treated before as a whole.' Koray Konuk, Anglo-Hellenic Review, No.22, 2000. `Plantzos' work will serve as a fine but brief handbook for the nonspecialist, for it addresses simply and briefly nearly all the topics that are likely to arise regarding Hellenistic gems.' Classical World