ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

A ROMAN BERYL INTAGLIO. DOLPHIN.

1st century B.C - 1st century A.D.

12 x 15 x 4,5 mm

The sea creature swims to the left. Use of globular elements. Fine execution and extraordinary variety of bright light bluish beryl, that goes beautifully with the subject, which seems to be swimming in sea water. Truncated cone profile of the gem. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired in the british art market.

A RARE ROMAN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. WILD BOAR WOUNDED BY A PORCUPINE.

1st century A.D.

8 x 10 x 3 mm

The subject is uncertain. However, analyzing the representation, it looks like an animal wounded by a porcupine. The quadruped looks like a young wild boar, facing to the left, with the typical elongated snout, short tail, thick and adherent hair, legs with small hooves and a visible penis. The animal seems to be pierced by many quills, which are not arrows. Given the direction of these quills, their quantity and type in relation to the animal depicted, they must belong to and come from a different beast, as a porcupine. The subject is engraved with great realism and great technical skill due to the very small measurements of the convex stone. Wear marks. Very rare.

Provenance: From the collection of an European gentleman, acquired on the art market

A ROMAN GLASS INTAGLIO SET IN A GILDED PAPER FRAME. LION.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

12x19x5 mm

The mighty animal is advancing to the left. The tail is elegantly braided to the right hind leg. Groundline. The large specimen is mounted in a golden paper frame typical of the Grand Tour as a collector's frame. Good condition with wear marks.

Provenance: From the collection Henry Wallis (1830 - 1916), the Pre-Raphaelite painter, scholar and collector of antiquities ; From a private collection, France, acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s

AN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN GLASS INTAGLIO. EROS PULLING A DROMADERY.

2nd century A.D.

13x16x3 mm

The putto is pulling with a rope the dromadery toward left. Groundline. Wear marks.

British Museum online database: inv. 1923,0401.850.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. EMBLEMA.

2nd century A.D.

9x12x4 mm

With a palm branch in a laurel wreath. Allegory of the military and Olympic triumphs.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. KANTHAROS WITH EAR OF CORNS.

2nd century A.D.

5x9,5x3 mm

In the center, the vase between two ear of corns. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. MODIUS WITH A SCALE.

1st century A.D.

10 x 12 x 2 mm

Modius with a poppy flower with two ear of corns and a scale. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market

A RARE ROMAN EMERALD INTAGLIO. MODIUS EMBLEMA.

Early 1st century AD.

8 x 10 x 3 mm

Modius containing caduceus and two poppy flowers, with scales above. Below, the inscription AVG. The allegorical emblem, clearly from the Augustan context, is engraved on a beautiful, slightly squared green light emerald. Wear marks. Rare.

Provenance: U.K private collection from the british art market.

A ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A RED JASPER INTAGLIO. A SMALL TABLE WITH VESSELS (TRAPEZA).

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

Stone 5x8 mm; int. Size 16x18 mm; 5,33 gr

With rounded hoop, flatten within and expanding upward onto an oval bezel set with a jasper intaglio; table with three trapezophoroi seeing front. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH AN AGATE INTAGLIO. BUNCH OF GRAPE IN A LAUREL WREATH.

3rd century A.D.

Stone 9x12 mm; int. Size 14x16,5 mm; 7,50 gr

Kindred type. Hoop round without and angular within, broadening upwards; the shoulders project strongly. The bezel consists of a three-layered agate intaglio , in form of a truncated cone, in plain oval setting soldered to a flat plate cut between the ends of the hoop; bunch of grape in a laurel wreath. Allegory of Victory and wealth. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN SARDONYX CAMEO. LYRE.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

14 x 16 x 5 mm.

A lyre, ribboned, a tortoise-shell sound box. Perhaps commissioned by a poet. Three layered agate-sardonyx. Beautiful execution for the size. Wear marks. Rare.

D. Scarisbrick, C. Wagner. J. Boardman, The Beverly Collection og gems at Alnwick Castle, p. 96 n. 87 and 88; Cfr. Cameo from the Farnese coll., Napoli, Museo Archeologico inv. 25922.

Provenance: From the collection of an European gentleman, acquired on the art market

A ROMAN RED JASPER MAGICAL INTAGLIO. ALLEGORICAL SCENE.

2nd century A.D.

18 x 19 x 4,5 mm.

In the center a vase with the claws and legs of a crab, above two dolphins converge towards the vase; a shell between the two marine animals. On the sides, two palm fronds; below, a crescent moon. Very interesting fantastic subject, composed as an emblema, which can be compared to the gryllos category in some aspects. Certainly a good auspicious scene. Wear marks and small chips to the edge. Small natural lack of the stone behind.

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired in the british art market.