gems, glyptic, engraved gems, agate, cameo, intaglio, finger rings, history of jewelry

Sinkankas: Superb, richly detailed and annotated catalog of 1,654 items, identifying the stones, giving dimensions, and the weight in grams. Marshall uses 35 categories based on metals as the first classification, and other features—types of stones, embellishments—as further subclasses. Many of the rings are set with gemstones and engraved gemstones. Selected examples are depicted on the excellent photographic plates which show twenty or more pieces per plate, commonly with separate photographs of the engraved gem settings. In addition, there are many sketches of rings scattered throughout the text. The introduction by itself is an admirable treatise on the ring in general, its uses, inscriptions and their significance, the materials used in their manufacture, including gemstones, principal types of rings represented in the collection, and a list of Greek & Latin terms for finger rings and their parts.