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Reminiscences 41 of 123
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ne plus ultra of the chemical and manipulatory skill of the
ancient workers. It is described as consisting of no less than five
layers or strata of glass, the interior layer being of the usual blue
color, with green and red coatings, and each strata separated from and
contrasted with the others by layers of white enamel, skilfully arranged
by some eminent artist of the Grecian school. The subject is a female
reposing upon a couch, executed in the highest style of art. It presents
a fine specimen of gem engraving. Among the articles made of common
material are a few green vases about fifteen inches high, in an excellent
state of preservation, and beautiful specimens of workmanship. In the
formation of the double handles and curves, these vases evince a degree
of skill unattained by the glass-blowers of the present age.
The vases in the Egyptian room at the Museum contain
several necklaces, small figures, scaravæi, and
other objects, which would appear to an ordinary observer to be composed
of precious stones. They are, in fact, at least most of them, formed
either of glass throughout the whole substance, or of materials covered
with a glass coating. The manufacture of articles of this description
presupposes a market for them;
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