Ivana Kuzmanović-Novović
Doctor of Art History, Faculty of Applied Arts, Belgrade
ANTIČKA GLIPTIKA U PRSTENJU IZ KOLEKCIJE NAKITA MUZEJA PRIMENJENE UMETNOSTI
ANTIQUE GLYPTICS IN THE RINGS FROM THE MUSEUM OF APPLIED ART JEWELLERY COLLECTION
Journal 2/2006 (Museum of Applied Art), pages 7-19
UDC:
069. 51 : 736.2
Abstract (original language):
Odsek za metal sa kolekcijom nakita Muzeja primenjene umetnosti čuva deset prstenova sa umetnutim antičkim gemama i jedan sa kamejom. Tri prstena potiču iz rimskog perioda, a ostali su iz srednjeg i novog veka.
Tematika ovih gema obuhvata mitološke ličnosti – božanstva (Jupiter, Apolon, Roma, Serapis), kentaura, Meduzu, sinkretistička božanstva (Izida/Fortuna-Viktorija, Apolon-Dionis) i muški portret.
Prstenje je nabavljeno putem otkupa pa je i njihova provenijencija nepoznata (izuzetak su tri prstena iz Novog Brda i okoline). Stilska analiza motiva na gemama pokazuje da one pripadaju periodu od II do IV veka.
Geme u prstenju iz ove kolekcije rađene su u karneolu i jaspisu, dok je kameja od belog opala. Kvalitet urezivanja predstave pokazuje jasan i precizan rad iskusnog majstora, poteklog iz neke od gliptičkih radionica većih centara.
Key words: (original language)
gliptika, gema, kameja, antika, mitologija, poludragi kamen, zanatska umetnost
Summary:
The Metal and Jewellery Department of the Museum of Applied Art keeps ten rings with embedded antiquity intaglios and one with a cameo. Three rings date back from the Roman period and the others are from the Middle Ages and the Modern Age.
Antiquity intaglios have a long life for they are preserved through inheritance, but also embedded in the post-antiquity rings thus acquiring a secondary role. The motifs of these intaglios are mythological personalities deities (Jupiter, Apollo, Roma, Serapis), centaurs, Medusa, syncretistic deities (Isis/Fortuna-Victoria, Apollo-Dyonisus), genre-scene with the representation of shepherd and a portrait of a male.
The rings were obtained by purchasing and their provenance is therefore unknown (with the exception of the three rings from Novo Brdo and its surroundings). Stylistic analysis of the intaglio motifs showed that they belong to the period between the 2nd and 4th centuries.
The intaglios in the rings of this Collection were made in the most sought-after semiprecious stones of the Antiquity – in the carnelian and jasper, while the cameo was made from white opal. Their beauty derives not only from the material in which they were made but also in the quality of the engraved image which shows a clear and precise work of an experienced master, originated from one of the leading glyptic workshops. The craftsmen and tradesmen came mostly from the East and, from time to time, they settled in this region. On the other hand, they had wealthy clientele in Novo Brdo, a great and rich Middle Ages centre, ordering precious rings with the highest quality antiquity intaglios. These rings were made as an expression of budding interest for the Antiquity which, influenced by the Italian Renaissance, appeared in our region, but also as a possible expression of reconciliation with Christian ideas in the second half of the 14th and throughout the 15th centuries.
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