Dalle dattilioteche private ai Musei di Stato; dall'antiquaria allo studio della glittica

The paper focuses ways and steps there has been significant change in the valuation of antique gems in the second half of the nineteenth century. The structuring of a specific study methodology was accompanied by the creation of special sections glyptics in the state museums as exemplified by the case of Medici’s dactyliotheca in Florence. Intaglios and cameos have abandoned the role of precious collectibles to acquire the status of flexible interpretative tool of socio-economic dynamics and relationship of the classical world.