Carnelian intaglios

Many of the early Fellows of the Society were interested in antiquarian research. John Aubrey and Walter Charleton drew ground-plans of Avebury and Stonehenge; John Ray published 'A Collection of English Words not Generally Used'. Among other things, Sir Hans Sloane collected over 550 engraved gems similar to these. The semi-precious stone carnelian was often used to make engraved stamps for wax seals; the examples here show profiles of Greek figures.