ASTA 267 - GLITTICA
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Lot 73 AN ITALIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. THEATRICAL MASK.
1st century B.C.
10x12x2 mm
Small theater mask facing left, engraved in the center of the field with large space around. Presence of globular elements. Slight wear marks.
Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired From the Galerie de Serres, Paris in the 1990s-early 2000s -
Lot 74 AN HELLENISTIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. BUST OF A NEREID.
3rd-2nd century B.C.
12x15x3 mm
The young figure is facing left, and characterized by a slightly open mouth, rounded chin, long and thick hair, with strong inspiration from the Hellenistic models. The face is characterized by delicate features finely engraved and mirror polished. The left shoulder is seen from behind, as in the typical movement of swimming. The figure is variously interpreted as Nereid or as Leander crossing the Dardanelles to reach the lover Eros. Slight wear marks.
Parallels: A. Giuliano, I cammei dalla Collezione Medicea del Museo Archeologico di Firenze, pp. 216-217; L. P. B. Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti, vol. 1, tomo 2 n. 218, tomo 3 n. 480; Le Gemme Farnese, 1994, p. 122 n. 184 (225); G.M. A. Richter, Engraved gems. Greek, Etruscan and Roman, The Metropolitan Museum of New York, n. 150; J. Boardman, Greek gems and finger rings, n. 1003.
Provenance: U.K. private collection -
Lot 75 A PTOLEMAIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. BUST OF YOUTH WITH PHRYGIAN CAP.
2nd-1st century B.C.
14,5x16x4 mm
The male character is shown from behind, his head in profile facing left upward. He is characterized by a laureated Phrygian cap. The features of the face shown a large almond eye straight nose and semi-opened lips with proturding chin. His musculature is raised by strong shoulders covered by a cloak. The effigy can probably be identified with Paris. Chips and loss on the edge. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.S. private collection, acquired on the art market. This lot is sold under temporary import status. -
Lot 76 A FINE GREEK GARNET INTAGLIO. STANDING HERCULES.
2nd century B.C.
13x19,5x5 mm
In a contrapposto posture, the head facing right, the hero is standing naked, holding the club and the lion skin with the right arm and rising his left arm outwards. Groundline. Use of globular elements. Very fine anatomical details. Mirror polished. Beautiful colour of the stone. Very convex gem.Wear marks.
Provenance: Ex Sangiorgi collection, acquired in the late 19th-early 20th century ; Ex Christie's NY, 06/12/2007, lot 319. This lot is sold under temporary import status. -
Lot 77 A LARGE GREEK PTOLEMAIC HELLENISTIC AMETHYST INTAGLIO. CORNUCOPIA.
3rd - 2nd century B.C.
14 x 19 x 4 mm
Beautiful cornucopia full of details and decorations, typical of the Ptolemaic Greek taste. The cornucopia is radiate and is wrapped in a ribbon that hovers in the air. The tip is particularly elaborate expressing opulence. The subject is engraved on an extraordinary large elongated cabochon amethyst, characterized by a splendid brightness and vivid color. Slight wear marks.
For a close parallel, see the Greek ptolemaic kingdom coinage: Ptolemy III Euergetes. Gold Mnaieion, 246-222 B.C., Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV. Bust of the deified Ptolemy III wearing diadem and aegis; reverse: radiate and filleted cornucopia with greek inscription. Svoronos 1117. This particular type was struck by Ptolemy IV Philopator to commemorate his deified father, Ptolemy III Euergetes, as part of the gold donative paid to his troops during the fourth Syrian War (219-217 BC).
Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market, 1990s-2000s. -
Lot 78 A ROMAN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. CHIMERA.
1st century B.C.
11x14x3 mm
The hybrid creature is composed of lion body, goat protome on back, snake tail. The beast walks by raising its right paw upwards. Groundline. Wear marks and minimal chips to the edge. Beautiful choice of the stone.
Provenance: U.K private collection -
Lot 79 A LARGE ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. ATHENA WITH HER WEAPONS AND A SNAKE.
2nd-1st century B.C.
Stone 13x18 mm; int. size 16x20 mm; 7,49 gr
With rounded hoop expanding upwards onto an oval bezel with a carnelian intaglio; the helmeted goddess is standing left, her left arm resting on a column, the hand holding the spear. Her right hand raised mastering the snake. Behind the column, her shield. Groundline. The presence of the snake linked to the goddess can be referrable to Cecrope; chtonian deity adorned in Athens, hypostasis of the sacred animal born from the ground. The snake is considered as the mythical hero and first king of Athens. The snake is Athena's sacred animal, with reference to the Winsdom, the Knowledge and the prophecies. The scene is inspired by a classical greek relief. Mirror polishing. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.K. private collection -
Lot 80 A ROMAN GOLD DOUBLE SNAKES RING.
1st century B.C.
Int. diam. 19 mm; 7,82 gr
Composed of two coiling snakes, their heads turned out on either side, their bodies forming the hoop, at the centre a gold spherical dot. Incised details on the heads and the bodies. Wear marks.
For a similar typology see: F.H. Marshall, Catalogue of Finger Rings, n° 938
Provenance: From a private collection, France acquired on the art market in the early 2000s -
Lot 81 A ROMAN GARNET INTAGLIO SET IN A LATER GOLD RING. NIKE.
1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.
Stone 11x13 mm; Int. Size 16,5x17,5 mm; 5,25 gr
The winged Victory is facing left, holding a laurel wreath and a palm branch. Use of globular elements. A lovely deep red cabochon garnet set in a Victorian gold ring. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.S. private collection, acquired on the art market. This lot is sold under temporary import status. -
Lot 82 A FINE ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. EROS PRISONER.
1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.
Stone 10x13 mm; in. Size 12x14 mm; 6,18 gr
Kindred type. Hoop round without and angular within, broadening upwards; the shoulders project strongly. The bezel set with a carnelian intaglio. Eros depicted in slight three-quarters with wide spread wings and a ribbon, tied to a column. Horizontal crack on the stone. Allegory of the prisoner of Love. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.K. private collection -
Lot 83 A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. HEAD OF APOLLO.
1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.
Stone 9x12 mm; int. diam 15 mm; 4,44 gr
With rounded hoop boardering upwards onto an oval bezel set with an agate intaglio. Head of Apollo facing left. He is characterized by young features, curly locks ornated with a laurel wreath. Letters in the field. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.K. private collection -
Lot 84 A LARGE ROMAN ITALIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. OMPHALE.
2nd - 1st century B.C.
Stone 11x21 mm; int. diam 18 mm; 8,33 gr
With a massive rounded hoop surmounted by an elongated oval bezel set with a beautiful agate intaglio depicting Omphale. The female character is walking naked facing right. She wears on her shoulders Hercules lion skin and holds on a left shoulder his mace. Use of globular elements for anatomical details. Groundline. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.K. private collection