WEB AUCTION 106: Glittica

A roman yellow jasper gnostic intaglio. Hecate.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.
9x13x3 mm

The three-headed goddess is standing in front and characterized a long chiton, six arms with bracelets and the heads surmounted by modii. This iconography was used for magical purpose. Very nice colors and variations of the stone. Rare.
For parallels, see: A. Mastrocinque, Sylloge Gemmarum Gnosticarum.
"
U.K. private collection

An Egyptian ptolemaic carnelian scarab.

332-30 B.C.
10x14x7 mm

The body sculpted naturalistically. The back engraved with a cartouche. Inside the God Anubis seated holding the flagellum, beneath the hieroglyph « nb ». Trough hole.

"
U.K. private collection

A near-eastern agate seal. Hybrid figure.

Sasanian, 3rd-7th century A.D.
Diam 18 mm ; depth 13 mm

With flat ovoid face and a domed body pierced through for suspension. The face depicts a fire altar form composed of a crescent, a bar with further crescents at its terminals, a standard, a second bar, also with crescents at its terminals. These symbols probably represents a specific clan or tribe.
A similar exemple conserved at Metropolitan Museum of NY, inv. 41.160.636
"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical green glass impression. Phallus.

18th-19th century.
9x9x3 mm

Phallic symbolic in frontal view. Wear marks.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of 15 roman and postclassical intaglios. Various subjects.

1st-2nd century A.D.
Min 4x5 mm ; max 16x20x8 mm

The group is composed of agate, carnelian, heliotrope, amethyst, red jasper, and chalcedony specimen. The subjects including Tyche, Dionysus, Gemini, a cornucopia, eros with lyre, two ears of corn, a satyr with panther, a bust of philosopher, a warrior, an offerer, a male head, Dionysos, male bust, clasped hands with allegorical emblema, an offerer. Mainly roman period and two postclassical stones.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 15 roman carnelian intaglios. Varia.

1st-3rd century A.D.
12x13x3 mm; 13x16x3 mm; 9x10x3 mm; 11x11x3 mm; 7x10x3mm; 9x10x3 mm; 8x9x2 mm; 7x9x2 mm; 7x10x2 mm; 8x9x2,5 mm; 7,5x12,5x2 mm; 6x11x2 mm; 9x12x2 mm; 9x12x3 mm; 7x7x1,5 mm

From left to right: the goddess Artemis standing and facing left with a deer; a naked warrior standing and facing left with spear and cloak (chipped); a blacksmith seated and hammering ; seated Minerva with attributes; a male figure standing facing right and holding snakes (?); portrait of a goddess facing left; an old shepherd under a tree; a winged Victory facing left with laurel wreath; a male figure standing and facing right with cloack and stick; a kneeling male figure facing left with a cloak; a warrior standing front in contrapposto, the head facing left with spear and sword; Nemesis ; Bacchus standing with attributes and facing right; Minerva Nikephora standing with attributes and facing right; winged Victory facing left. Wear marks.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 7 hardstones intaglios. Various subjects.

2nd century A.D. and 18th century.
8x9x2,5 mm; 10x13x2 mm; 6x9x3,5 mm; 9x12x6 mm; 10x13x6 mm; 7x9x4 mm; 8x9x3 mm

Dextrarum junctio ; a lion chasing a deer, on top a star ; a dog chasing an hare; allegorical figure with cornucopia; Fortuna-Tyche with attributes; Fortuna-Tyche with attributes; helmeted male portrait facing left.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of 4 glass and carnelian intaglios. Varia.

2nd century A.D.
Min 6x7x2,5 mm ; max11x22x3 mm

From left to right: male figure facing right ; male figure facing right; bust of Selene; male head facing left.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of three roman glass paste intaglios. Varia

2nd Century A.D.
7x11x4 mm ; 9x17x4 mm ; 7x11x2 mm

A silenus standing and facing left. A heron standing and facing right. Groundline. A vase with two faces.

"
U.K. private collection

Two roman jasper intaglios. Varia.

2nd-3rd century A.D.
10x13x3 mm ; 9x10x2 mm

On top, a lion facing left. Groundine. Beneath, the second intglio shows a cista with cornucopiae and ears of corns surmounting a dextrarum junctio.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of 3 roman carnelian intaglios. Portraits.

2nd century A.D.
8x10x1,5 mm ; 9x11x3 mm; 7x9x2 mm

From left to right ; male portrait facing left ; female bust facing left ; Mercury portrait facing left.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 24 intaglios. Roman and later period.

2nd-3rd century A.D. and later
Min 6,5x9x2 mm ; max14x16x4 mm

- A roman carnelian intaglio. Pastor with a goat and tree. Groundline.-B205 A roman carnelian intaglio. Winged eros playing with a ball. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Diane hunting. Groundline. Chip and wear marks. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Mercury standing, facing right. Chip and wear marks. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Roaring lion facing left. Small chip and wear marks. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Minerva standing and facing right. - A roman yellow and black dotted jasper. Good fortune symbols. Chip on the edge. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Pastoral scene. Groundline. - A roman jasper intaglio. Winged Victory. - A roman agate intaglio. Winged Victory. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Naked Silenus standing and facing left. Groundline. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Minerva standing and facing left. - A postclassical carnelian intaglio. Naked man standing and facing left holding bow and arrow. Groundline. - A roman agate intaglio. Winged Victory standing and facing right. She holds a laurel wreath. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Standing Apollo, facing right. Groundline. - A roman carnelian intgalio. Mars with attributes standing and facing left. Groundline. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Mercury with his attributes, standing and facing right. - A roman agate carnelian intaglio. Seated Tyche with cornucopia, and a star. Groundline. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Minerva standing and facing right. Groundline. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Dancing maenade. Chip on the edge. Wear marks. - A postclassical banded agate. Portrait of an hellenistic emperor. Chip on the edge. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Eros picking fruit on a tree. Groundline. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Hand holding attributes ; caduceus, cornucopia, ear of corn. - A roman carnelian intaglio. Mercury with attributes standing and facing right. Groundline.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 12 intaglios. Varia

19th and 20th century.
Min 9x10x3 mm; Max 17x16x4 mm

Female bust facing right; A gryllos with two men heads; ear of corn; male figure standing and facing right; a bold bearded man’s head in the philosopher type with a branch; portrait of helmeted Minerva; allegorical figure holding a balance; erotic scene; bust of a ruler; male portrait; helmet head of Minerva; portrait of a priestress.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 9 intaglios. Varia

19th and 20th century.
Min 11x14x3 mm ; Max 18x24x4 mm

Portrait of Helios with radiated crown and letters « HELIX »; male bust facing right; winged sphinx facing left; bust of a greek ruler; portrait of Ceres; bust of a young man; bust of Jupiter-Ammon; a deer protome with symbols; bust of a ruler.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of 9 roman and postclassical intaglios. Various stones and subjects.

2nd century A.D. - 19th century.
Min 8x11x2 mm; max 12x14x2,5 mm

From left to right: goat on a tree ; standing divinity with attributes; a biga facing left; a helmeted warrior facing right with a shield and spear; two anthropomorphic figures; Faune ; militar trophy; a cornucopia ; Mercury standing facing right.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 7 intaglios and 2 cameos. Varia

18th century A.D.
Min 9x10,5x3 mm ; max 17x23x6 mm

A burnt agate intaglio. Bust of Minerva with helmet facing left; a carnelian intaglio. Two goats; agate intaglio. Philosopher bust; carnelian intaglio. Dyonisus bust. A glass paste cameo on an alabaster stone. Roman portrait; a glass intaglio. Socrates bust; red glass impression. Mythological scene; Sardonyx cameo, chipped. Dyonisus bust; a glass intaglio. Eros riding a dolphin.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 4 intaglios. Varia

2nd century A.D. and 20th century.
min 5x7x2 mm ; max 14x18x3 mm

A male figure with a stick ; a fish ; a satyre playing the lyra ; Neptune with the trident and a dolphin.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of 2 postclassical carnelian intaglios. Warrior and goddess.

20th century.
7x10x2 mm ; 8x10x2 mm

The male figure is standing facing left, behind him a shield and spears; a goddess facing back, her head facing right.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 3 late republican agate and carnelian intaglio. Apotropaic symbols.

1st century B.C.
11x12x2,5 mm ; 7x10x2 mm ; 9x11x2 mm

A rudder on the right, with two latin letters on the left « TA »; rudder with two star; rudder with a club and globe. Symbols of Tyche and good luck for travelers.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 4 roman agate and carnelian intaglios. Varia

2nd century A.D.
12x14,5x3 mm ; 12x15x3 mm ; 9x13x2 mm ; 9x14x4 mm

Bust of Serapis facing left. Wear marks and chips visible. 
Portrait of a young emperor with laurel wreath facing left.
Portrait of a prince facing left.
Portrait of a goddess facing left.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 4 roman intaglios. Varia.

2nd century A.D.
11x14x2 mm ; 10x12,5x2,5 mm ; 9x12x3 mm ; diam 9,5 mm

Eagle holding a laurel wreath in his beak; Mercury with his attributes giving a laurel wreath to Tyche. Groundline; Two herons facing each other, their head in the opposite sides of their body. Groundline; Portrait of a bearded man facing right.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 6 postclassical carnelian intaglios. Heroic and divinities figures.

16th-18th century.
12x14x2 mm; 10x13x3 mm; 11x15x5 mm; 10x13x2,5 mm; 10x13x8 mm; 11x14x4 mm

From left to right; An allegorical figure with two snakes in hand ; a pantheistic goddess standing and facing left; a male figure standing facing right, holding an oinochoe in his hand; Mercury standing with his attributes; an allegorical figure with attributes; hunter with deer. Wear marks.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of 3 postclassical carnelian intaglios. Portraits.

16th-18th century.
14x15x4 mm ; 11x15x4 mm ; 13,5x16x3 mm

From left to right; Portrait of a laureate emperor facing left; Portrait of Hercules with his club facing right; Portrait of a young laureate emperor facing left. Slight wear marks.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of 3 postclassical agate-carnelian intaglios. Mythological figures.

16th-18th century
10x14x3 mm ; 12x15x3 mm ; 14x17x3 mm

From left to right: Neptune standing with the trident and dolphin near a tree. Allegorical draped female figure with branch, at her feet Eros; a dancing Menead with thyrsus. Chip on the edge.

"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical agate intaglio. Sacrifice scene.

17th-18th century
13x16x3 mm

An old male character with a cloak is in the act of making a sacrifice over a small altar. With both hands he holds offerings. Groundline. Attractive variety of stone. Wear marks. Light chipping on the edge. Postclassical work.

"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical bloodstone intaglio. Bust of a warrior.

16th-18th century.
12,5x17x3 mm

The male figure is facing left, with crested helmet. His face is characterized by strong features; hooked nose, protruding chin, and semi-opened lips. Slight wear marks.

"
U.K. private collection

A group of 4 postclassical intaglios. Varia.

19th and 20th century.
12x18x3 mm; 15x18x6 mm; 11x15x3 mm; 16,5x21x4 mm

Bust of a female figure facing right, dressed with a large coller; bust of a warrior with helmet, sword and breastplate, draped on the shoulders; islamic seal with floral pattern; islamic seal with inscriptions.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of 2 postclassical red jasper and agate gnostic intaglios.

End of the 19th century - early 20th century (?).
22x30x3 mm; 16,5x24,5x4 mm

Male figure standing on his feet and facing right. He holds a scepter, the terminal with jackal head. Groundline. Beneath, symbols. The second intaglio shows a pentagram with greek and hebrew letters. Inspired by the gnostic and magical intaglios repertoire.

"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical lapis lazuli gnostic intaglio. Astrological and magical symbols.

16th-17th century.
13x13x3 mm

The character is standing facing front, wearing a talar crossed-pattern dress or mummiform sheath (?). The face surmonted by a flat hat (?). On each side star and crescent moon. The reverse of the stone shows a syncretic attribute with stylized caduceus and crescent moon. On the corners, glyphs and letters. This iconography reminds the gnostic repertoire of the egypto-roman amulets and glyptic productions.

"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical layered agate intaglio. Lion’s paw.

19th century (?).
8x11x4 mm

Lion’s paw depicted as a footprint, meant probably to be a seal. Drilled style. Signs of wear and chipping on the edge.

"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical agate intaglio. Bust of Mars.

19th century (?).
11x12x4 mm

The god facing left. The helmet shows the front part sculpted with an anthropomorphic mask, of late renaissance taste. Magic eye stone cutting.

"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical agate intaglio. Bust of a philosopher.

16th-18th century
14x17x3 mm

The hold character is facing left, characterized by a thick beard and bold head. This depiction is referred to Socrates portraiture. This portrait is finely engraved on a nice variety of agate. Wear marks.

"
U.K. private collection

A large postclassical red jasper intaglio. Bust of an Emperor.

18th century (?).
22x32x4 mm

The male figure is facing right and characterized by high cheekbone, straight nose, thick eyebrow and lidded eye. Hair and beard are rendered with various trick lines enhancing the volumes. His forehead is surmounted by a large laurel wreath, tided back by a knot. The bust is covered by a cloak; on the shoulders appears the armour. This portrait reminds the features of the roman emperor Antoninus Pius. Large size. Vivid color and wear marks.

"
U.K. private collection

A large postclassical agate intaglio. Gladiator.

18th century.
22x24x3 mm

The helmeted naked male figure is standing facing right, holding a sword in his right hand, and a frontguard. Groundline.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of 2 postclassical double-layered agate cameos. Imperial portraits.

16th-18th century.
14x20x6 mm ; 14x20x6 mm

From left to right; young emperor with laurel wreath facing left (nose partially missing) or Apollo (?); emperor with laurel wreath facing left.

"
U.K. private collection

A lot of 2 postclassical layered agate cameos. Portraits of Minerva.

17th-18th century.
14x21x6 mm ; 14x21x4 mm

From left to right; bust of Minerva facing right. She wears the helmet, her long wavy hair touching her shoulders. She wears the scaled breastplate ; portrait of helmeted Minerva facing right and characterized by a strong look, straight nose, her wavy hair framing her face back to the base of her neck.

"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical double-layered agate cameo. Greek philosopher.

16th-18th century.
20x26x4 mm

The male bearded figure is facing right and characterized by voluminous hair and beard worked in a naturalistic way and framing all his face. On top a folded veil covering partially head and neck.

"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical double-layered agate cameo. Bust of a Youth.

16th-18th century.
19x31x5 mm

Facing right and characterized by long wavy hair framing his juvenile face and adorned by a large band. The features shows the finesse of the young man; thin nose, small plain lips, small chin and large almond-shape lidded eye.

"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical three-layered agate cameo. Bust of a matrone.

16th-18th century.
21x28x6 mm

Facing left, the look upraised with intensity, the woman is characterized by long wavy hair tided back in a bun with some locks detached on the jaw and neck. The nose is thin and aligned with the forehead, semi-opened lips, rounded chin. The eye’s pupil is marked by a drill tool. Her bust covered by a folded cloak.

"
U.K. private collection

A neoclassical three-layered agate cameo. Female bust.

18th century.
15x20x6 mm

Facing left, her hair inside a sakkos adorned with three ivy leaves colored with the last layer of the stone; beneath, three curls of hair framed the outter corner of the eye until her jaw. The features reminds the classical greek period; straight nose, almond-shape lidded eye, small semi-opened lips and rounded chin. Her neck is partially covered by the folds of a drapery.

"
U.K. private collection

A neoclassical double-layered cameo. Paris.

18th century.
15x22x5 mm

The young man is facing right and characterized by his typical hairstyle surmounted by the phrygian hat. His eye accentuated by a drilled tool for the pupil, raises up the look, and the thick lids suggest a certain seriousness and gravity. The curly locks framing the forehead and the face are well-rendered with the use of this coloured layer of the stone in contrast with the whiteness of the face.

"
U.K. private collection

A neoclassical three-layered agate cameo. Paris.

19th century.
19x24x5 mm

The young hero is facing right, characterized byu his typical phrygian hat. The sensousness of his features shows a delicate rounded chin, small plain lips, straight this nose and almond-shape lidded eye. The face is framed by long wavy hair with curly terminals going through the base of his neck.

"
U.K. private collection

A postclassical layered agate intaglio. Dancing figure.

19th century.
20x26x3 mm

The female draped figure is standing, legs crossed in frontal view, her head facing left. Her bust partially uncovered shows rendered volumes, and her draped dress is floating in movement. She hold a patera (?) against her left leg. Groundline.

"
U.K. private collection

A renaissance two-layered agate cameo set in a gold ring. Female bust.

16th century.
Cameo 14x20x5 mm ; ring US size 5-6

Rounded ring surmounted by a large asymmetrical rounded bezel that embrace naturally the cameo’s shape. The cameo depicts a woman bust turned to the right. She wears a folded dress, her right shoulder partially uncovered. Her long neck sustains a plain rounded face with small chin, lips and nose. The eye is precisely carved showing the eyelids and the pupil. The eyebrow is slightly modeled in relief. Her short-wide forehead is surmounted by long hair tided back in a bun with braids. Point of nose is missing, and presence of a crack behind the right shoulder.

"
U.K. private collection

A renaissance agate cameo mounted in a modern gold ring. Reclining Venus.

Late 16th century A.D.
Cameo 10x13 mm ; diam int. Ring 17 mm ; 9,36 grs

The figure is naked and lying on a bed covered with a drapery; next to it, a vase. Signs of wear.

For stylistic comparisons: Riccardo Gennaioli, The gems of the Medici at the Museo degli Argenti. Cameos and carvings in the collections of Palazzo Pitti (coordination Ornella Casazza), 2007 (reprint 2010), p. 184 n. 73-75.
"
U.K. private collection

An heliotrope cameo mounted in a modern gold brooch. Bust of Christ.

17th century
42x35 mm ; 16,32 grs

The figure wears a tunic and is turned in profile to the left, with long hair held back by the crown of thorns. The face has severe features, slightly protruding cheekbones and a short beard. Work inspired by 16th century models, including the choice of this stone variety. Attractive stone color. Bezel cracked horizontally on the bust. Refined gold setting (18th - 19th century), with finely worked frame in excellent condition.
For comparisons: P. Vitellozzi, Tesori di una collezione privata p. 218 n. 159; Le Destin d'une collection. 500 pierres gravйes du Duc d'Orleans, p. 219; Le gemme dei Medici al Museo degli Argenti. Cammei e intagli nelle collezioni di Palazzo Pitti, p. 336-337.
"
U.K. private collection

A large cameo in oyster Shell. The Sacrifice of Isaac.

17th-18th century.
24x35x6 mm

Oyster shell cameo (pearl white background, milky white in the upper layer). The Sacrifice of Isaac. God decided to test Abraham faith, commanding the sacrifice of his son Isaac. On the Moriah mount, while Abraham was going to sacrifice his son, an angel arrived to stop him. The depiction is the representation of this salient Biblical episode: the flying Angel stops Abraham’s hand, that was holding a dagger. On the right, a kneeling Isaac gives an additional dynamic sense to the depiction.

"
U.K. private collection

A victorian gold brooch set with a renaissance onyx two-layered cameo. Bust of a Youth.

16th centiry cameo; 19th century mounting.
Cameo 7x10 mm ; length brooch 50 mm ; 3,24 grs

A small onyx cameo is mounted on a Victorian brooch characterized by a small golden setting with a chiseled frame, joined to a long brooch. The stone, carved in high relief, shows the frontal bust of a young man, presumably Hercules, with a slightly three-quarter head. Excellent state of conservation.

"
U.K. private collection