Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Dactyliotheca

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

DACTYLIOTHE'CA (δακτυλιοθήκη). In general, a collection of gems, which the ancients, like ourselves, were in the habit of collecting and preserving in cabinets for their value and beauty. Plin. H. N. xxxvii. 5.

2. A case or box for finger-rings, in which they were deposited when not in use, or when removed from the fingers at night. (Mart. Ep. xi. 59. Id. xiv. 123.) The illustration (Dactyliotheca/2.1) represents an ivory case of this kind, from an original found in Pompeii, with an upright stick on the top of the lid for stringing the rings upon, in the same manner as now practised on a lady's toilette table.

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  Dactyliotheca/2.1