Engraved Gems

Maxwell Sommerville (1829–1904) was a noted gem collector, writer, and scholar of the late 19th century, best remembered for his extensive work in the field of glyptography – the engraving on gems. His seminal work, 'Engraved Gems: Their History & An Elaborate View of Their Place in Art', displays an impassioned investigation into the artistry and symbolism of gem engraving, tracing its historical...