Auction 86 - Glyptics and Ancient Jewelry

A neoclassical agate cameo. Bust of Maecenas.

End of 18th century - Beginning of 19th century

28 x 40 x 11 mm

The bust portrait of the so called "Maecenas" (Caius Cilnius Maecenas) is facing right. Large stone engraved in high relief, close to "Head of Maecenas" from the Marlborough Collection (Carnelian intaglio, Boston, Museum of Fine Arts: 99.112).

A neoclassical agate cameo. Bust of a Bacchante.

End of 18th century - Beginning of 19th century

20 x 25 x 6 mm

This fine portrait of a Bacchante is characterized by the typical thick hair adorned with leaves and bunches of grapes. The depiction could be identified also with Dionysos. Attractive use of the layers of the stone. Slight chipping on the edge.

A neoclassical agate cameo. Bust of a veiled man.

End of 18th century - Beginning of 19th century

16 x 21 x 3 mm

The bearded character is probably the representation of Saturn. The cameo has an unusual concave rather than convex relief, to follow the colored layers and veins of the agate. Attractive colors of the stone.

A fine neoclassical agate cameo. Bust of Athena.

Mid of the 19th century circa.

16 x 20 x 8 mm

The helmated deity is facing right. On the reverse of the stone, an engraved handwritten inscription: “N. 4 - Negroni - 670”. Fine work executed on an attractive six-layers agate. Mirror polishing. Slight chipping on the helmet crest.

A neoclassical french two-layers agate cameo. Bust of Apollo.

19th century

37 x 46 x 17 mm

The young god is turned to the left, and is characterized by the draped bust and the head crowned with laurel. The hair is thick and elegantly sculpted with sinuous braids that fall on the neck and shoulder. Work carried out in high relief.



French private collection 80's. Than, UK private collection G. C. , London.

A large two-layers agate cameo set in a Victorian gilded massive silver snuff box. Veiled bust of Flora.

19th century

Cameo : 32 x 42 mm
Box : 63 x 77 x 37 mm

The female bust is turned to the right side. The figure is characterized by thick hair adorned with a flowers wreath. The head is veiled and the bust is draped. The stone is set in a fine boxe finely engraved, adorned with a garland frame on the edge. Very fine condition. Octagonal mark: Helmeted head of Minerva (1st title), facing right. French manufacture since 1838.

A neoclassical onyx cameo set in a gold brooch with pearls. Bust of Apollo.

Second half of 19th century

Cameo : 16 x 22 mm
15,0 g

The young god, identifiable with the Apollo Belvedere model, faces right and is wearing a tunique with chlamys. Beautiful victorian gold brooch with pearls.
This prototype has been widely copied and reproduced also on cameos, inspired by the famous statue of the Vatican. For example, the cameo engraved by Saulini in the parure of the Metropoliotan Museum (inv..40.20.55a–c). A very fine exemple of this type comes from the production on Nathaniel Marchant.

Parallels: Catalogue of One Hundred Impressions from Gems engraved by Nathaniel Marchant, J.Edwards, London, 1792, pg. 10, no. XIV, for a listing of a sardonyx intaglio of the Apollo Belvedere, commissioned by the politician J. Cox Hippisley, 1st Baronet (1746-1825). Seidmann, Nathaniel Marchant, Gem Engraver, 1739-1816, The Walpole Society,LIII, 1987, pg.41-2, no.11, mentions that this design of the Apollo Belvedere was particularly popular, and Marchant carved several intaglios of it.

A 18K gold brooch set with a shell cameo signed JB Martin. Male portrait.

19th century

Cameo : 40 x 50 mm
11,13 gr

The bust portrait, characterized by long and thick hair and beard that ends before the chin, is turned to the right. Private portrait to identify, signed J.B. Martin.

A neoclassical carnelian intaglio mounted on a seal. Bust of Apollo with lyre.

19th century

Intaglio : 14 x 20 mm
4,34 gr

The young god is facing right. He is characterized by thick and long hair that partially covers the neck. A small lyre appears behind the bust, as an allegory of the arts, poetry and music. Fine work well engraved. Subject inspired by french neoclassical models. Attractive color of the stone. Wear marks on the seal.

A quartz fumé intaglio set in a metal seal mounting. Portrait of Isaac Newton.

18th century

intaglio: 20 x 23 mm ; 16.74 gr

Bust of Sir Isaac Newton, bareheaded and wearing a contemporary dress, facing left; a star behind his head. Sir I. Newton (1643-1727) was a favourite subject for English seals and engraved by talented artists as Christopher Seaton, Cave, Wray and Burch. This beautiful work is set in a metal mounting as seal. Attractive brightness of the quartz, faceted on the edge.Very fine condition.

Parallels: M. Henig, Classical gems. Ancient and modern intaglios and cameos in the Fitzwilliam Museum. Cambridge, p. 308 n. 644.

A fine carnelian intaglio seal engraved by Edward Burch. Zeus wearing a laurel wreath.

Early 19th century

intaglio : 18 x 21 mm; 19, 22 gr

Zeus is facing right and characterized by a thick beard and finely engraved thick hair, with a laurel wreath on the head. The profile is characterized by a protruding nose and a semi-opened mouth. In the foreground, the right shoulder is raised, showing the musculature.
This beautiful intaglio is signed BURCH R.A.: opus of Edward Burch (1730-1814) from Royal Academy. The artist is considered one of the England’s greatest gem-engravers. This stone is mounted as an early 19th century seal engraved with a border of shells, the handle modelled as a stylised lyre composed of foliate scrolls. A very fine intaglio executed with great skill. Light crack on the stone. Extremely fine mirror polishing.

Parallels: G. Seidmann, The diversity of Edward Burch, pp. 17-26 in Le gemme incise nel Settecento e Ottocento. Continuità della tradizione classica, 1998.

A neoclassical gold, diamonds and pearls brooch set with an agate cameo signed Pestrini.

Early 19th century

Cameo : 21 x 42 mm
23,74 gr

This fine two-layers agate cameo depicts a female bust in profile, facing right, inspired by the graeco- roman statuary models (probably a Venus).
The stone is signed PESTRINl. Possibly by Clemente Pestrini (Italian, active first half of the 19th century). ca.1810-1820. The brooch is characterized by a split pearl, single and rose-cut diamonds, glazed reverse. Mirror polishing. French assay marks

A neoclassical two-layers agate cameo mounted on a gold pendant. Bust of Psyche. Signed Girometti.

19th century

Cameo : 17 x 23 mm
8,76 gr

Bust of Psyche, facing right, signed GIROMETTI (Giuseppe Girometti, 1780-1851). The stone is mounted on an elegant gold pendant with openable back, fitted with a glass (cracked). Delicate work inspired by the canovian marbles.

Published: Michel Duschamp, "Nouveaux inédits de G. Girometti et de L. Michelini (XV)". Bulletin de la Société Francaise de Numismatique 52.5, May 1997, pp. 83-88, fig. 2.

From the collection of Michel Duchamp (1922-2011)

A neoclassical two-layers agate cameo mounted on a gold brooch. Sapho.

19th century

Cameo : 18 x 24 mm
5,72 g

The greek poetess, facing right, is charachetrized by a draped bust and by hair elegantly gathered in the sakkos.
The cameo is set in a fine gold brooch with a filigree border.

Published: D. Scarisbrick, The Art of Gem Engraving From Alexander the Great to Napoleon III, Fukuoka 2008, p. 242, p. 360. EXHIBITED: Hakone, Open-Air Museum and Fukuoka, City Museum, The art of gem engraving from Alexander the Great to Napoleon III, 2008, no. 308

From the collection of Raphael Esmerian (1903-1976).

A late Georgian gold brooch set with an onyx cameo portrait by Berini. Bust of a noblewoman.

End of 18th century - Beginning of 19th century

Cameo : 22 x 27 mm
5,39 g

Portrait of a noblewoman from the napoleonic period, facing left, signed BERINI (Antonio Berini, 1770-1861) along the neck profile. The portrait bust is characterized by a greek profile, a small mouth and an elaborate hairdo, an can be identified with a member of the Royal Family from the Bourbons (see Effigy of Maria Luisa di Borbone-Parma, Queen Consort of Spain, 1751-1819; Maria Luisa di Borbone, Queen of Etruria and Duchess of Lucca, 1782-1824). The front adorned with a diadem, and two bands on the top, while, on the back, the haidress in a bun net, following the style of the ancient heads. Refined work, soft in the anatomical volumes and careful in the physiognomic research, with a certain expressive elegance.

A fine neoclassical agate cameo set in modern gold ring. Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor.

Early 19th century.

Cameo: 20 x 30 mm ; 22.76 gr

The portrait is facing right, with the bust not draped. A refined laurel wreath with berries is engraved on the thick, finely wavy hair. The face presents the typical physiognomic features of the emperor Bonaparte, taking as parallel the contemporary portraits made for the medals or some cameos engraved by famous artists. The portrait is carved on an ivory-colored layer, over a brownish background showing cracks and small breaks on the edge. The cameo is mounted in a beautiful modern ring with an elongated octagonal bezel, of generous size.

Parallels: O.M. Dalton, Catalogue of the engraved gems of the post classical periods, British Museum, n. 396 (ex Blacas collection, probably by Rega); M Duschamp, "Antonio Berini un des grandes graveurs italiens du XIXe siècle et le haut relief", Cahiers Numismatiques 169, Sept. 2006, pp. 47-59, fig. 22.

European private collection.

A neoclassical two-layers agate cameo mounted on a gold brooch, signed Berini. Bust of Caroline Murat.

19th century

Cameo: 22 x 33 mm
8,30 g

This beautiful female portrait bust depicts Caroline Murat (1782-1839), facing left. The thick hair held on the front by adiadem, and by one band on the top, while, on the back, it’s tightened by an accessory of a net-like texture, following the style of the ancient heads. The two-layers stone is engraved in high relief with great skill for the anatomycal details and features of the private portrait. This portrait is characterized by interesting physiognomic features close to the natural model rather than idealized as in the official medals. Caroline Murat became Queen of Naples in 1808.

Published: Michel Duchamp, "Antonio Berini un des grandes graveurs italiens du XIXe siècle et le haut relief, Cahiers Numismatiques 169, Sept. 2006, pp. 47-59, fig. 12.

From the collection of Michel Duchamp (1922-2011)

A very fine agate cameo by G.A. Girardet, set in a gold brooch. Eros with a Panoplia.

19th century

cameo: 30 x 35 mm ; 29.38 gr

Giorgio Antonio Girardet was born in Rome the 2nd July 1829 to Anthony John, and Clotilde Pochon.
He then undertook the art of engraving at Bonfiglio Zaccagnini, engraver of the Mint under Pius IX, and subsequently he began to carve hard stones at the atelier of engravers Antonio Odelli and Tommaso Saulini. The collaboration, started through Odelli, with the famous goldsmiths Castellani was long and fruitful. Among the works commissioned by them, and which are often identifiable because they are marked by the artist’s signature (as well as by the engraving of the double «C» on the bottom layer of the stone).
He also had a good reputation as portrait engraver: in 1874 in fact the G. is reported as «graveur de camées, spécialiste de portraits» in via Margutta, n. 53 B. In the cameos iconographic repertoire of G. (signed usually ”G.A Girardet F.”), which belonged to a now limited group of hardstones engravers still active in Rome in the second half of the 19th century, such as Tommaso Saulini, Antonio Odelli , Pietro Girometti, Giovanni Liberotti, Giovanni Dies, Paolo Neri, Carlo Civilotti, are often present, in addition to mythological subjects and motifs taken from the ancient, motifs taken from the works of modern sculptors such as Bertel Thorvaldsen.

This beautiful two-layers agate cameo, signed G.A. GIRARDET, is carved with great skill and elegance in a very high-relief. Cupid, represented frontally, is wearing the helmet of Mars, too large for his tender curly-headed boy. Love plays with the weapons of the god of war. Love is preparing himself for a new love battle. The small erote holds with his arms the heavy crested helmet with, masterfully sculpted almost in the round with undercut. Cupid turns his head slightly to the left and maintains a serene and smiling air despite the effort. The figure is above the shield and rests a knee pointed on the ground as a support. Behind him, the sword, which binds to itself with the bandage attached to the scabbard. This image is highly emblematic, of great impact and beauty, engraved with skill. Slight chipping over the helmet, otherwise perfect condition. The stone is mounted in a splendid gold frame, referable to the Castellani atelier with spherical or interwoven decorations, delicately arranged in a radial pattern.

Parallels: Fondo Castellani, Bi-blioteca, b. 201/9; Relazione di G.A. Girardet (incisore in pietre dure) letta all'assemblea generale del 25 genn. 1874, Roma 1874; Mostra di Roma nell'Ottocento (catal.), Roma 1932, p. 154; E. Kris, Catalogue of the Milton Weil Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of arts, Wien 1932, n. 21, tav. XXXIX; G. Umani, in Numismatica, IX-XI (1943-45), p. 65; A. Jandolo, Antiquaria, Milano 1947, pp. 190-193; R. Righetti, Incisori di gemme e cammei in Roma, Roma s.d. (ma 1952), pp. 63, 85; L. Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, Cammei per casa Savoia: i ritratti di G.A. G., in Strenna dei romanisti, LVIII (1997), pp. 509-516; Id., Del cammeo e dell'incisione in pietre dure e tenere nella Roma del XIX secolo, in Arte e artigianato nella Roma di Belli.Atti… Fondazione Marco Besso, Roma 1998, p. 24; L. Forrer, A Biographical Dictionary of medaillists…, II, London 1904, p. 272; VII, ibid. 1923, p. 163; G.C. Bulgari, Argentieri, gemmari e orafi d'Italia, I, 1, Roma 1958, p. 547. Et Alia.

European private collection. Formerly from the collection of R.E. (1903-1976).

A very fine french gold parure with agate cameos. Mythological figures.

1840 (circa)

Cameo (earring) min : 12 x 15 mm
Cameo (earring) max : 14 x 34 mm
Cameo (brooch) : 19 x 24 mm
Cameo (comb) min : 8 x 11 mm
Cameo (comb) max : 19 x 23 mm
Cameo (necklace) min : 13 x 17 mm
Cameo (necklace) max : 25 x 32 mm
Necklace lenght : 44 cm
170 g

Various mythological subjects.
Necklace: a dancer, Venus and Mars from Canova, Venus and Cupid in the act of playing with the bow (after Saulini), Diana huntress with a female figure, Eros with a Muse, Cupid and Psyche, Venus and Cupid in the act of making garlands, Venus and Adonis, a dancer, a dancing figure inspired by Herculaneum frescos.
Brooch: Cupid with a Muse; Earrings: cipid with the quiver - a dancer/cupid with the lyre- a Muse (Erato).
Diadem: a drunken silenus with tyrsus.
All these cameos are finely engraved on two-layers agates of different sizes. All these mytological subjets are inspired by the classical and the neoclassical repertoire, and in particular from works of famous engravers and sculptors. The very fine 18K gold mountings are masterfully chiseled with branches, acanthus leaves and flowers motifs. Small repair with tin on the brooch. Gold marks on the earrings mountings: Head of Ram turned to left, (Paris, 1819-1838, 18K).The lot is sold in its original wooden boxe (red velvet inside) with an old label “Collier de camées d’or fin grammes (?) 137. Fournisseur du roy rou (rue) Favart”, and another label with numbers. Very fine condition.



European private collection 80's

A neoclassical agate intaglio. Eros and Psyche.

19th century

20 x 24 x 3 mm

The young girl is seated on the ground, looking slightly downwards in contemplation, and in the act of holding a jug. Her delicate body is characterized by butterfly wings on the bare back, while the legs are draped. Eros advances in front of her playing the double flute. The scene was engraved with similar compositional and stylistic characteristics by Pichler (signed carnelian intaglio, Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum, Legate Timoni n.171; sardonic intaglio, by Giovanni Pichler, Vienna, Kunst, inv. XII. 424). This composition typically reflects the neoclassical taste and it is inspired by a drawing by Angelica Kaufman after a copy from the ancient (fresco). The work is characterized by great executive finesse. Attractive honey shade of stone.

Parallel: L.P. P. Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti, vol. 2, p. 54 n. 331; p. 72 n. 536.

U.K. private collection, London.

A fine neoclassical onyx cameo set in a chiseled gold pendant. Cupid hunter.

End of 18th century - Beginning of 19th century.

cameo: 19 x 25 mm ; 8.43 gr

The erote advances to the right, turning his elegant head engraved in three-quarters. With the right hand he holds a stick where two prey (birds) are hung; with his left hand he holds the bow and carries the quiver tied to the bust. Groundline. This mythological subject is inspired from the ancient classical models, then spread in a more graceful key by the neocalssical artists and, above all, by the Wedgwood manufactory. The cameo is mounted on a finely chiseled gold pendant. Very fine condition.



European private collection.

A large post renaissance rock crystal intaglio. Grottesca.

17-18th century circa

55 x 72 x 5 mm

A large plant divides into two main branches, evolving into volutes and curvilinear terminals, sometimes performed with globular elements as a variation. Among this intricate vegetation of decorative taste on the model of painted grotesques, there are animals, including: two rabbits at the bottom; in the middle three birds, one of which flanked by an insect; above, two other birds. The intaglio was engraved on a large stone of extraordinary transparency and purity, leaving the details so finely etched satin. The piece probably adorned a metal casket on the Renaissance model. To be identified.



European private collection

An amethyst Poniatowski intaglio set on a modern gold bracelet with gold impression.

Early 19th century

intaglio : 22 x 28 x 10 mm
Diam (bracelet) : 60 mm
47 g

Heavy gold bracelet set with a fine Poniatowski intaglio: “Nature seated with a serpent in her hand”, signed Pyrgoteles (ΠΥΡΓΟΤΕΛΕΣ). The stone is flanked by a gold piece engraved with the same subject, adorning the jewel. Attractive color of the stone. Slight wear marks.

Parallels: Catalogue des pierres graves antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): II.157
Christie's, London: 1839-2023
Prendeville, J.: Explanatory catalogue of the proof-impressions of the antique gems possessed by the late Prince Poniatowski and now in the possession of John Tyrrell, Esq. (1841): 311.

European private collection.

A neoclassical agate cameo mounted on a modern gold ring. Diomede with the Palladium.

19th century A.D.

Cameo : 19 x 23 mm
Ring : 19 x 18 mm
14,0 g

Son of Tydeus and Deipile, he was one of the main Achaean heroes of the war of the Epigoni and of the Trojan war. Author of the theft of the sacred Palladio, he is shown here in one of his most famous poses. Diomedes is seated on an altar adorned with garlands. With the right hand he holds the sword, with the left the Palladio (the arm is wrapped in a drapery). In front of him, a pillar with an idol on it. Groundline. The scene, highly emblematic and elegantly composed, is performed with refinement and great skill; of particular beauty is the way in which the transparency of the stone changes with respect to the highest or lowest relief of the figure. The stone is set in a beautiful gold ring. Very fine condition.

Parallels: Jean-Marc Moret, Les pierres gravées antiques représentant le rapt du Palladion, 1997 for a complete study of the subject.

U.K private collection, London.