Gem Expert
He spent much time in Italy, where he laid the foundation of his collection of engraved gems and gemstones, which, having been increased by subsequent purchases in London, was sold by him in consequence of his failing eyesight, and was presented in 1881 to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
He was recognized universally as one of the greatest authorities in this department of art. His chief works on the subject are:
- Antique Gems, their Origin, Uses and Value (1860), a complete and exhaustive treatise;
- The Natural History of Precious Stones and Gems and of the Precious Metals (1865);
- Early Christian Numismatics (1873);
- The Handbook of Engraved Gems (2nd ed., 1885);
- The Gnostics and their Remains (2nd ed. by J Jacobs, 1887, which led to an animated correspondence in the Athenaeum).
Read more about this topic: Charles William King
Famous quotes containing the words gem and/or expert:
“Love may be the fairest gem which Society has filched from Nature; but what is motherhood save Nature in her most gladsome mood? A smile has dried my tears.”
—Honoré De Balzac (1799–1850)
“Do you know what Agelisas said, when he was asked why the great city of Lacedomonie was not girded with walls? Because, pointing out the inhabitants and citizens of the city, so expert in military discipline and so strong and well armed: “Here,” he said, “are the walls of the city,” meaning that there is no wall but of bones, and that towns and cities can have no more secure nor stronger wall than the virtue of their citizens and inhabitants.”
—François Rabelais (1494–1553)