ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

AN ITALIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. DOUBLE CORNUCOPIA.

2nd - 1st century B.C.

Stone 10x13 mm; int. size 17x18 mm; 10,47 gr

Emblema of the Prosperity and Abundance with two cornucopias side by side with overlapping endings, auspicious symbol of union. Globular elements. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the art market in the early 2000s

A GREEK LATE HELLENISTIC GARNET INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. ATHENA.

2nd-1st century B.C.

Stone 11x15 mm; int.diam 16 mm; 10,71 gr

With rounded hoop, expanding in broader rounded shoulders and set with a fine cabochon garnet intaglio depicting the helmeted goddess advancing in three-quarters. She wears the chiton and himation, the spear in her left rised hand and the shield in the right one. Groundline. Beautiful colour of the stone, wear marks.

For the type see D. Plantzos, Hellenistic engraved gems, plate 64 (The Neo-Attic Tradition)

Provenance: U.K. private, acquired on the art market 1980s-1990s

A GREEK HELLENISTIC GARNET INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD NECKLACE ELEMENT. PORTRAIT OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT.

2nd century B.C.

Stone 11x12 mm; 2.58 gr

The gold ornament is round and adorned with two series of gold spherical beads divided in platted gold. Presence of a suspension hoop, (missing the other one). In the center, a large circular, slightly cabochon garnet intaglio figuring the portrait of Alexander the Great facing left. He is characterized by the typical presence of the Amon's horns and the the long hair. The presence of some globular elements for the anatomical details is referable to a Greek workshop.Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private, acquired on the art market 1980s-1990s

A LARGE GREEK LATE HELLENISTIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD PENDANT WITH DIAMONDS. STANDING FEMALE FIGURE.

2nd century B.C.

Stone 16x30 mm; Brooch 27x49 mm; 11,45 gr

This large intaglio is part of the late Hellenistic Greek production characterized by this typical stylization with linear engraved details and elongated figures (Plantzos classified it in the "Class of Late Hellenistic Intaglios" close to the "Gems for the Masses" with gods and humans subjects). The figure is standing, facing left, dressed in chiton and himation, in the act of holding a scepter in the left hand. The gem, with an elongated and convex oval shape, is set in a gold pendant with five diamonds. Slight wear marks.

D. Plantzos, Hellenistic Engraved Gems, n. 309 to 320.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market

A LARGE GREEK LATE HELLENISTIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. STANDING FEMALE FIGURE.

2nd century B.C.

20x33x6 mm

This large intaglio is part of the late Hellenistic Greek production characterized by this typical stylization with linear engraved details and elongated figures (Plantzos classified it in the "Class of Late Hellenistic Intaglios" close to the "Gems for the Masses" with gods and humans subjects). The figure is standing, facing left, dressed in chiton and hymation, in the act of holding a sword in its scabbard with the right hand, and leaning the elbow of the left arm against a small column for support, holding a spear (or a long sceptre). Probably a Venus. The gem is characterized by an elongated and convex oval shape. Slight wear marks.

D. Plantzos, Hellenistic Engraved Gems, n. 309 to 320.

Provenance: The Gustave Mustaki collection, exported from Egypt under licence c.1950 and gifted to Elsa MacLellan, his daughter, thence by descent.

A GREEK HELLENISTIC GARNET INTAGLIO. STANDING FEMALE FIGURE.

3rd - 2nd century B.C.

13x22x3,5 mm

This elongated gem is very close to the socalled group known as "gems for the Masses". The female figure is standing, dressed in a tunic, and holding a scepter (or thyrsus?) in her right hand. Presence of globular elements. Groundline. Small chips on the edge. Wear marks.

D. Plantzos, Hellenistic Engraved Gems, n. 277-297.

Provenance: Formerly in the D.C. collection, London ; acquired by an international french collector from the above in the early 2000s.

A GREEK LATE HELLENISTIC GARNET INTAGLIO. FRONTAL FACE OF ZEUS AMMON.

2nd century B.C.

13,5x15x6 mm

Interesting example of late Hellenistic Greek portrait with a deeply carved, almost frontal head of Zeus Ammon (ram's horns) on the typical slightly convex garnet ( concave in the backside). Small missing on the edge and wear marks.

D. Plantzos, Hellenistic Engraved Gems, n. 191 (from Oxford, Ashmolean Museum 1892.1508).

Provenance: Formerly in the D.C. collection, London; acquired by an international french collector from the above in the early 2000s.

A BURNT AND CALCIFIED ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A SILVER FRAME. MASK OF A SILENUS.

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

12x14,5x4 mm

Almost frontal mask of Silenus, characterized by a long beard and a crown of grape leaves. Powerful and expressive portrait, deeply engraved. The stone is partially burnt and calcified. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the London art market 1990s-early 2000s

A BURNT AND CALCIFIED ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. HEAD OF SOCRATES.

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

Diam. 17x2 mm

Profile portrait of a philosopher, almost certainly Socrates. Beard and hair details are engraved with fine lines.The stone is partially burnt and calcified. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the London art market 1990s-early 2000s

A LATE HELLENISTIC GARNET FRAGMENTARY INTAGLIO. MALE PROFILE

2nd century B.C.

14x18x3 mm

This beautiful fragment shows the face of a Greek hero or god, characterized by a straight nose, beautiful plain lips and almond-shaped eye with heavy eyelid. Cracks and wear marks.

Provenance: This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A LATE HELLENISTIC GARNET INTAGLIO. BUST OF ATHENA.

2nd-1st century B.C.

9x12x5 mm

The helmeted goddess is facing left. The surface of the stone is highly convex. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A GREEK LATE HELLENISTIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. HEAD OF A GODDESS.

2nd-1st century B.C.

11x13x3 mm

The laureated goddess is facing left. Presence of globular elements. Scratches and wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection