A Rare Russian Mineral Spar Tower

Period: 1800-1900

Origin: Russian

Medium: Mineral Spar Tower

Dimension: 31 cm (12¹/₄ inches)

Literature: Unquestioning belief in the mystical characteristics of gemstones and minerals in ancient times was coupled with trust in their medical values. Pliny the Elder ( AD 23 – 79 ) in his 37 volume ‘Historia Naturalis’ recorded that the ancients thought red stones such as carnelian, garnet and ruby were good for treating all sorts of bleeding and inflammation whilst green stones were reserved for eye diseases. Amethyst in fact owes its name to the Greek expression ‘not to be intoxicated’ !
Kunstkammer collectors were fascinated by the forms and interesting geometry of natural crystals, and combined with their faith in the beneficial effects of gemstones and minerals spent splendid sums collecting these miracles of nature.