This content was first published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review no. 8 in 2019. The information provided here is therefore current as of the original publication date.
Gemology has been applied to Cultural Heritage research for several years now. In this work, author Enrico Butini takes a step forward in studying and understanding the mysterious Murrhine Vases. Murrhine Vases have always been an enigma for both scholars and lovers of archeology and gemology, the puzzler being the material that the legendary vases were made of, as well as their actual existence.
Pliny the Elder gave us a precise, detailed description of that mineral that looked so rare and bewildering, perhaps for its colours, so different from those known until then, or for the scent they gave off.
The first part of this valuable work covers all the authors who have written, discusses and speculated about the puzzling Vases, from the time of Pliny to this day: each of them offered their own, confident solution, gradually suggesting a variety of materials including amber, alabaster, porcelain, onyx, carnelian, fluorite, glass, agate, seashell, sardonyx, obsidian, steatite, jade, feldspar.
In the second part of the treaty, the problem is addressed and solved through a scientific approach. As part of his research, the author leveraged new surprising evidence, analysing archaeological materials that had never been studied before from a gemological perspective and shedding new light on the “Enigma of Murrhine Vases”.
For archaeology and gemmology enthusiasts, this work is a must-read that adds to an extensive and valuable collection of similar works written by the experienced gemmologist Butini in collaboration with various local Archaeological Authorities. Born in 1940, the author founded the IGN National Gemological Institute of Rome back in 1970 and is still the current director alongside his son Flavio.
To do justice to the nearly mystical enthusiasm of this mad lover of such a peculiar branch of gemmology, we will mention some of his main works:
Gli Ori di Oplontis; Indagine gemmologica del reliquiario di Sisto V – Montalto delle Marche; Le ambre della collezione Castellani nel Museo Etrusco di Villa Giulia; Pompei, abitare sotto il Vesuvio; I monili dell’area vesuviana; I gusti collezionistici di Leonardo d’Este; L’anello di Carvilio da Grottaferrata; De re metallica; La camera delle meraviglie- studio sui gioielli castellani; Archaeometric and gemmological analyses of a Roman imperial gold and sapphire jewel from Colonna- Rome, Italy.
Well done Enrico, keep it up!
“Enigma of Murrhine Ware – Legends • History • Literature • Archaeogemology Research”
Enrico Butini
Published in Rome (Italy) by «L’Erma» di Bretschneider® in 2019.
144 pages, format 21,5 x 28 cm
ISBN: 978-8891318206
Available in Italian and English language on www.lerma.it for the price of € 90.
Article by Luigi Costantini, published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review #8, Winter 2019
