Symbols of Excellence: Precious Materials as Expressions of StatusPithily written, rich in anecdote and superbly illustrated with examples of ancient craftsmanship, this book by an archaeologist of world renown ranges freely over the civilisations of the last five thousand years. The theme is a fascinating one. Why is it, Professor Clark asks, that human beings value precious metals, gems and a few organic materials like ivory and pearls so highly? All are difficult to obtain and largely useless for practical purposes. Yet the prestige associated with possession down the ages is undoubted. Position, sanctity and - by extension - the social and political hierarchies of entire societies have become embodied in these materials. Though first exploited to the full in the service of early cults and rulers, their appreciation has survived social change, and personal jewellery and insignia of rank are today more common than ever before. The reasons why are authoritatively explored in this remarkable book. |
Contents
A Amber objects from Mesolithic Denmark | 4 |
Organic materials | 13 |
Ivory head from Brassempouy France | 16 |
Skull set with cowries from Jericho | 24 |
Jet necklace of the Scottish early Bronze Age | 32 |
Jade | 33 |
Adze blade carved from nephrite boulder | 38 |
Hawk pendant from Anyang | 43 |
Detail of the Sutton Hoo purse lid | 74 |
Rose and brilliant diamond cuts | 76 |
Founders Jewel New College Oxford | 79 |
The symbolic roles | 82 |
Silver cauldron from Gundestrup | 86 |
Reliquary statue of Ste Foy Conques | 89 |
Jewelled cover of the Book of the Pericopes | 90 |
Chalice of Abbot Suger of Saint Denis | 92 |
Jade burial garment of Dou Wan | 44 |
Olmec votive groupfrom La Venta | 48 |
Precious metals | 50 |
Mycenaean gold cup from Vapheio | 55 |
Gold torc from Snettisham | 56 |
Gold bracteate from Ravlunda | 57 |
Gold collar from Alleberg | 58 |
Roman silver cup from Hoby | 61 |
Tang dynasty silver cup | 62 |
Mycenaean dagger from Gournia | 63 |
Precious stones | 65 |
The spread of lapis lazuli from Afghanistan | 66 |
Classical cameo of Augustus | 71 |
Archbishop Maximians throneRavenna | 94 |
The Holy Crown of Hungary | 95 |
Richard Earl of Cornwalls Crown | 96 |
Catherine the Greats mitre crown | 98 |
The Sceptre with the Cross | 99 |
a b Greek coin of Ephesus | 103 |
Plate of the London Goldsmiths Company | 104 |
The Derby Trophy | 105 |
Olympic medal 1908 | 106 |
Notes on the colour plates | 107 |
| 120 | |
Common terms and phrases
adze adze blades Aegean Africa alloy amber amulets ancient Archaeology artefacts Asia attracted beads bracelets British Museum Bronze Age burials cabochon carats carnelian carved century B.C. chalcedony China Chinese civilizations cloisonné colour copper coral cowrie shells crown decorative designed diamonds displayed early Egypt Egyptian electrum elephant embellish emeralds Emperor emulation enamel enriched esteem Europe exploited fact Figure Fu Hao garnets gold goldsmiths hierarchy human Imperial State Crown India inlay insignia ivory jade jadeite jewellery jewels Kakovatos lapidaries lapis lazuli Maori material Mesolithic millennium B.C. mines mounted necklaces Neolithic nephrite notably obtained opals ornaments pearls pendants perforated period Plate platinum precious metals precious stones precious substances prehistoric qualities recovered regalia rhinoceros rhinoceros horn role Roman rubies rulers sapphire served Shang dynasty silver social societies sources status Sumerian supplies symbols of excellence tomb tumbaga turquoise tusks Tutankhamun Upper Palaeolithic variety vessels