ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

A LARGE AGATE INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. MALE BUST.

18th century

Stone 19x25 mm; int. size 16x17 mm; 11,31 gr

This portrait shows a mature male character facing right. The face is characterized by severe features; a short fronthead, aquiline nose, small mouth and proturding chin. The short hair are defined by an angular framing. The bust is draped by a toga. This physiognomy and anatomical details reminds the portraiture of the Roman senator Cato the younger. Slight wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A FINE CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. BUST OF GALBA.

18th century

Stone 12x16 mm; int. diam 17,5 mm; 5,83 gr

The portrait is facing left with beautiful and truly well engraved realistic features of the laureated emperor directly inspired by the ancient coinage production. Mirror polishing. Slight wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A FINE CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. BUST OF MEDUSA.

18th century

Stone 15x16 mm; Int. Size 16,5x19 mm; 8,54 gr

The revival mounting is characterized by shoulders with intertwined gold wired and a large rounded grooved box setting with a twisted gold wire; portrait of Medusa facing right. The mythological figure is characterized by elegant long wavy hair made of snakes with open mouths. With young features, long nose, small slightly open mouth and proturding chin. The eye wide open. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A POSTCLASSICAL CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. BUST OF SOCRATES.

17th- 18th century

12,5x14x5 mm

The old effigy faces right and is characterized by the typical partially bald skull, thick beard, tunicated shoulders. Slight wear marks.

Provenance: U.K private collection

A GREEN JASPER INTAGLIO SET IN A REVIVAL GOLD RING. HEAD OF ATHENA.

19th century or later

Stone 13x18 mm; int. Size 14x15 mm; 11,48 gr

The revival gold mounting is formed of a rounded hoop, the outside incised and ending with gold spherical elements and a rope pattern. The large gold box setting is adorned with voluted gold wires and set with a green jasper intaglio; the head of the helmeted goddess is facing left. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A FINE NEOCLASSICAL AGATE CAMEO SET IN A GOLD BROOCH. PORTRAIT OF THE EMPEROR NERO.

18th century

Total 24x31 mm; 8,95 gr.

The emperor is laureated and is facing right. The portrait shows his typical physiognomy details inspired by classical models (coins or sculptures from the Roman era). The work is expertly done and has a slight cracking that runs across the portrait diagonally. The cameo is set in a gold frame engraved with floral patterns.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A FINE AGATE CAMEO SET IN A GOLD RING WITH DIAMONDS. BUST PORTRAIT OF FAUSTINA THE ELDER.

17th-18th century

Stone 15x22 mm; with frame 21x27 mm; int. Size 18x20 mm; 9 gr.

The Empress is facing left, her bust draped, the elaborate hairstyle typical of her portraits. The large oval bezel is set with 26 old-cut diamonds. With rounded hoop extending in openwork with volutes pattern and divided in two at the end.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A NEOCLASSICAL CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO SET IN A LATER GOLD RING. HOMER.

End of 18th century

Stone 18x21 mm; Int Size 16x17 mm; 9 gr

A fine portrait of the illustrious Greek poet. The effigy faces right and is characterized by a very refined rendering of the anatomical details. Georgian seal converted into a ring.

Provenance: U.S. private collection, acquired on the art market. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A BLOODSTONE INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. JULIUS CAESAR.

18th century

Stone 15x18 mm; Int. Size 14x17 mm; 6,54 gr

The effigy of the dictator is turned to the left, with the bust draped in three-quarter view and the head in profile. Beautiful variety of Heliotrope, characterized by yellow and red inclusions. Georgian seal later converted into a ring.

Provenance: U.S. private collection, acquired on the art market. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A FINE LARGE NEOCLASSICAL CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. BUST OF A BACCHANTE.

19th century

Stone 17x21 mm; int. dize 16x17 mm; 10,64 gr.

The bacchante is depicted in profile facing right, with a naked bust and hair adorned with bunches of grapes. In the background her attributes: the thyrsus and a small cup for wine. The profile is linear in the typical neoclassical style. Attractive color of the stone. The gem is set in an older gold frame from a seal readjusted into a modern ring. Very good condition.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A NEOCLASSICAL AGATE INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. BUST OF JULIUS CAESAR.

18th century

Stone 14x16 mm; int. diam 18 mm; 6,66 gr.

Bust of a beardless man, partially bald, with a haggard face, and a long thick neck, in profile to the left. Round is prominent left shoulder is draped a mantle, a fold of which he gasps in his right hand. The head resembles Julius Caesar. The absence of the usual attributes make the identification uncertain. There are many replicas of this type. The model have to be identified in the fine amethyst intaglio in the Metropolitan Museum (NY). In the field, three greek letters for MYO (to be identified). Wear marks.

G.M.A. Richter, Catalogue of the engraved gems - MET NY, n. 469.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A GEORGIAN AGATE CAMEO SET IN A GOLD RING. PORTRAIT OF SOCRATES.

18th century

Stone 16x23 mm; int. size 17x20 mm; 10.55 gr

A fine portrait of the Greek philosopher, facing left. The head is characterized by a partially bald skull with thick hair on the nape, a long beard, short and rounded nose, deep-set eyes with a meditative expression. The effigy is engraved on a three-layer agate with a crystallized background. Two slight diagonal cracks affecting only the surface. The stone is solid set in a later gold ring.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market