Natter's Museum Britannicum: British gem collections and collectors of the mid-eighteenth century

Lorenz Natter, a German gem engraver, medallist, and amateur scholar, was so impressed by the collections of ancient and later engraved gems in Britain that he proposed the publication of an ambitious catalogue called Museum Britannicum. He produced several hundred drawings but abandoned the project due to lack of interest. Two hundred years after his death, the manuscripts were discovered in the archives of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, and the first published account of this archival treasure was produced by Oleg Neverov and Julia Kagan. This book is the first comprehensive publication of Museum Britannicum, offering full discussion in English and presenting Natters drawings and comments alongside modern information on the gems.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 316 pages
\n Publication date: 14 January 2021
\n Publisher: Archaeopress
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Lorenz Natter, a German gem engraver, medallist, and amateur scholar, was deeply impressed by the vast and remarkable collections of ancient and later engraved gems he discovered in Britain. His admiration led him to propose the publication of an extraordinary catalogue, known as Museum Britannicum. This ambitious project aimed to showcase engravings and detailed descriptions of the most significant pieces in these collections. Natter made remarkable progress, producing hundreds of drawings that contributed to the realization of his vision. However, as time passed, he realized that there was a lack of interest in Britain for such a comprehensive catalogue. Despite his dedication, he ultimately decided to abandon the project.

However, the story took an unexpected turn two hundred years after Natter's death. In Spring 1975, the classical scholar and renowned expert in gems, Oleg Neverov, stumbled upon a remarkable discovery. While exploring the archives of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Neverov and his colleague, Julia Kagan, happened upon a pile of papers that contained the unpublished papers of Lorenz Natter. The manuscripts had been hidden away for centuries, and their existence was almost forgotten.

Neverov and Kagan, driven by their passion for gemology and historical research, embarked on a meticulous study of the Hermitage manuscripts. Their initial research yielded groundbreaking insights into the contents of the manuscripts, and they published the first account of this archival treasure. This publication marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of gemology, as it provided the first comprehensive publication of Museum Britannicum.

The present volume, a culmination of ten years of collaborative efforts between scholars on the Beazley Archive gems research program, builds upon the foundation laid by Neverov and Kagan. It offers a comprehensive discussion in English, presenting Natters drawings and comments alongside modern information on the gems that can be identified and located through fresh research. This book is a testament to the enduring legacy of Lorenz Natter and his remarkable contributions to the field of gemology.

Through the meticulous work of Neverov, Kagan, and their colleagues, the world has been able to glimpse into the treasures of Museum Britannicum and appreciate the brilliance of Lorenz Natter's engravings and descriptions. The discovery of these unpublished papers has not only shed light on the history of gemology but also highlighted the importance of preserving and protecting historical artifacts for future generations.

In conclusion, the story of Lorenz Natter and the unpublished papers of Museum Britannicum is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and the enduring legacy of historical research. It reminds us that even in the face of adversity, the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of cultural heritage can lead to extraordinary discoveries and breakthroughs.

\n Weight: 1114g\n
Dimension: 252 x 289 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781789698107\n \n