This color-illustrated work is a supplement to A Collection of Classical and Eastern Intaglios, Rings and Cameos (2003), which showcased a large private collection formed mainly in Italy from the 1920s to the 1960s. The supplement concentrates on the elaborate mounts for many of the gems, illustrating especially Sicilian gem-mounting of the 18th century. The opportunity has been taken to add a few more interesting examples from the collection, and to republish in color some of the more important pieces in the original catalogue. Essays chronicle the rediscovery of the ancient traditions in gem engraving and the classical style, and the growth of antiquarian books devoted to the illustration of ancient gems. The book is illustrated with many high quality color photos of pieces from the collection, plus b&w facsimiles of covers of antiquarian books to demonstrate the style and quality of reproduction practiced before photography. Boardman is emeritus professor of classical archaeology and art at the University of Oxford. Wagner is director of the gem program in the Beazley Archive. The book is distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation 2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
