The International Weekly Miscellany, Volume I. No. 9

The International Weekly
Miscellany, Volume I. No. 9.

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Title: The International Weekly Miscellany, Volume I. No. 9. Of
Literature, Art, and Science, August 26, 1850
Author: Various
Release Date: October 19, 2004 [EBook #13797]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY MISCELLANY
Of Literature, Art, and Science.
* * * * *
Vol. I. NEW YORK, AUGUST 26, 1850. No. 9.
* * * * *

NUMISMATIC ARCHÆOLOGY.
A magnificent work[1] upon this subject has just been completed in
Paris, where it was commenced fifteen years ago. It was begun under
the auspices of M. Paul Delaroche and M.C. Lenormand, member of
the Institute, and well known already as one of the first authorities in
the numismatic branch of archæology. Some faint idea of the greatness
of the task may be given by stating that it embraces the whole range of
art, from the regal coins of Syracuse and of the Ptolemies, down to
those of our day; that such a stupendous scheme should ever have been
carried into execution is not solely due to the admirable ease and
fidelity, with which the "Collas machine" renders the smallest and the
largest gems of the antique: but to him who first felt, appreciated, and
afterward promoted its capabilities in this labor of love, M.A.
Lachevardiere. Comparisons and contrasts, which are the life of art,
though generally confined to the mental vision, are not the least of the
recommendations of this vast work. For the first time have the minor
treasures of each country been brought together, and not the least
conspicuous portion are those from the British Museum and the Bank
of England.
[Footnote 1: Trésor de Numismatique et de Glyptique; ou, Recueil
Général de Médailles, Monnaies, Pierres Gravées, Sceaux, Bas-reliefs,
Ornements, &c. Paris, 1850.]
Whether we consider the selection of these monumental relics, the
explanatory letterpress, or the engravings which reproduce them, we
are struck by the admirable taste, science, and fidelity with which the
largest as well as the smallest gems have each and every one been made
to tally in size with the originals.
The collection of the "Trésor de Numismatique et Glyptique,"
consisting of twenty volumes in folio, and containing a thousand
engraved plates in folio, reproduces upward of 15,000 specimens, and
is divided into three classes--1st. The coins, medals, cameos, &c. of
antiquity; 2d. Those of the middle ages; lastly, those of modern times.
The details of this immense mass of artistic wealth would be endless;
but these three classes seem to be arranged according to the latest
classification of numismatists.
In the first class may be noticed--1. The regal coins of Greece, which

contains, beside the portraits of the Greek Kings, to be found in
Visconti's "Iconographie," copied from medals and engraved gems, all
the coins bearing the Greek name of either a king, a prince, or a tyrant,
and every variety of these types, whether they bear the effigy of a
prince, or only reproduce his name. To the medals of each sovereign
are joined the most authentic and celebrated engraved gems of
European cabinets. Next come the series of portraits of the Roman
emperors and their families, with all the important varieties of Roman
numismatics, amongst which will be found the most celebrated coins of
France, Vienna, Dresden, Munich, Florence, Naples, St. Petersburg,
Weimar, &c.; and, moreover, those medallions which perpetuate great
events. These two volumes contain eight-fold more matter than the
great work of Visconti.
In the second class, containing the works of the middle ages, and
showing the uninterrupted progress of the numismatic art down to
modern times, and forming alone fourteen volumes, we find the source
which the French artists and men of letters have studied with such
predilection. First in order are the Italian medals of the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries, chiefly by the famous Victor Pisano, a Veronese,
whom Nasari has so much lauded. The scholars and imitators of Pisano
also produced works as interesting as historical documents as they are
admirable in workmanship. Here also will be found the French and
English seals, in which the balance of skill in design and execution is
acknowledged to be in our favor.
Less barbarous, and indeed perfect works of art, in character of
costume and visage, are the medals struck in Germany