Antiquities Explained. Being a Collection of Figured Gems Illustrated by Similar Descriptions Taken from the Classics. By George Ogle, Esq; Vol. I.

George Ogle

RA Collection: Book

Record number

03/2364

Author

Variant Title

Gemmæ antiquæ cælatæ or, a collection of gems

Imprint

London:: Printed by James Bettenham, For Cl. Du Bosc, at the Golden Head in Charles-Street, Covent-Garden., M.DCC.XXXVII.

Physical Description

xlviii, 188, [xii] p., add. engr. t.-pl., 50 pl.; 282 mm. (Quarto).

Contents

The volume includes an index.

Responsibility Note

The added engraved title-plate is signed, 'Cl. Du Bosc Fecit'. No other plate is signed.

The work is dedicated by the author to Lionel Cranfield Sackville, Duke of Dorset.

References

ESTC, T134046
On the iconography of myths see the note on V. Cartari's Les Images des dieux (1581).

Summary Note

Only one volume was published.

The fifty etchings of ancient gems (enlarged, but with indication of their actual sizes) almost all show ancient Greek divinities and heroes. They are accompanied by Ogle's explanations, which incorporate extensive quotations in ancient Greek and Latin with English translations.

The Dedication states that 'This collection was first publish'd at Paris in 1732' - referring to the plates of the Recueil de pierres gravées antiques (Paris: Mariette, 1732-7). Ogle's book was reprinted in 1741, under the title, Gemmæ antiquæ cælatæ; or, a collection of gems.

Reproductions

An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A microfilm version was published in 1986 (Woodbridge, CT: Research Publications).

Provenance

Acquired by 1802. Recorded in Catalogue Of The Library In The Royal Academy, London (1802).

Binding Note

18th-century half calf, rebacked; boards covered with watered cloth; spine lettered '1737', brown morocco spine-label lettered 'Antiquities Explained'.

Subject

Gems - Intaglios - Relief (Art) - History
Mythology, Greek - Mythology, Roman - Iconography
Art history - Iconology - Great Britain - 18th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 18th century

Contributors