Auction 86 - Glyptics and Ancient Jewelry

A lot of two Victorian coral cameo head of dog set in gold stick pin.

19th century

H : 70 mm
8,22 g

These two fine microsculptures depict two different dogs heads, one with a closed-mouth and the other with an opened mouth. The latter is set at the stick pin with a gold band edge that reproduces his collar and a pearl as pendant. Very fine condition.

A banded agate female bust set in a gold stick pin.

18th century

H. 95 mm 8.36 gr

The figure is characterized by a veiled head, partially draped torso with large exposed breasts. The bust is finely sculpted, emphasizing in the best way the beauty of this banded agate, engraving the body in the dark part and the drapery in the light part of the stone. The nose is damaged. This microsculpture is set in an elegant mounting adorned with plant motif, finely chiseled.

A fine banded agate seal set in a gold mounting with turquoise. Female head.

18th century

H. 41 mm 15.73 gr

The handle of this beautiful fob seal is formed by a microsculpture in a brown and white banded agate with honey tones and depicting a woman’s head with a headdress. The gold frame with small turquoise set is finely worked with various ornaments. An elegant collar made up of stones and intertwined golden chain elements goes around the neck of the figure. Below, an agate intaglio (set to make the seals) depicting a bearded helmeted head of Mars. Refined piece in excellent condition.

Two fine carnelian intaglios mounted as seals. Coat of Arms of the 1st Earl of Lucan.

18th century

Intaglio : 23 x 28 mm
H: (seal) : 27 mm/ 43 mm
15,28 g /17,24 g

The lot consists of two large carnelian carvings representing the same heraldic coat of arms referable to Sir Charles Bingham (1735-1799), 1st Earl of Lucan, High Sheriff of county Mayo - M.P. as Baron Lucan of Castlebar. The two coat of arms have small variations (shape of the shield, crown and ribbon). One mounted in a typical seal frame with elongated handle; the other mounted as a ring. Complete set very rare. Perfect conditions. Sold in an elegant red leather boxe, including the cast impression of the depiction.

A neoclassical onyx cameo signed Saulini. Bearded gentleman.

19th century

30 x 37 x 11 mm


A fine high relief private portrait of a breardered victorian gentleman, facing right, signed SAULINI (probably Luigi Saulini, 1819-1883). Working in Rome. Son of Tommaso Saulini, continued the family studio after his father death specialising in portraiture for which both men were renowned. Recorded in Murray's Guide to Rome for 1853 at 8 Via della Croce. By 1867 the studio had moved to 96 Via Babuino.

Tommaso e Luigi Saulini, incisori.... ; British Museum database inv. 1978,1002.1162

A chalcedony intaglio signed Tonnellier, set in a gold 14K pendant. Diana hunting.

End of 19th century

Intaglio : 12 x 15 mm
2,0 g

The deity wears an elegant fitted tunic and faces left. The huntress is in the act of looking for an arrow to shoot with a bow. At her feet, a running dog. Groundline.
Georges Tonnelier (1858 - 1937), whose name is sometimes spelled «Tonnellier», was the student in Paris of A. Millet and Charles Gauthier. First destined for statuary, he began engraver of gems quite late, around the age of twenty-seven, under the auspices of master Jules-Clement Chaplain. He was an engraver constantly praised by fans and critics of this art at the end of the 19th century: his intaglios were masterpieces where “precision does not exclude grace”, and considered to be «one of the most ardent renovators of his art» (see among others the magazines Art & Décoration, vol. 6, 1899, and La Revue de l’Art, vol. 30).

Ernest Babelon, the famous curator of Cabinet des Médailles, found him «astonishing fruitfulness and the energy of a blacksmith». He describes him as one of the four modern artists with «neat and elegant works» admired in the last exhibitions of the late nineteenth century (see Engraving in fine stones. Cameos and intaglios, Paris, Librairies-Imprimies unifies, p. 315; and also the long passage he devotes to his works in his History of engraving on gems in France, Paris, Société de propagation of art books, 1902, pp. 243-245). Works of Tonnelier are in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore (inv. 42.99) and in the Metropolitan Museum (Cameo Appearances catalog, p. 50, n ° 109-110).



European private collection.

A fine Victorian coral cameo set in a gold brooch. Bacchante.

19th century

Cameo : 21 x 25 mm
brooch : 58 mm
15, 14 g

The female figure presents the torso almost in profile facing left, placing the left shoulder uncovered in the foreground. With her left hand she holds the drapery that partially covers it, turning her head back to the right in three-quarters. The thick hair is decorated with bunches and grape leaves. Fine work in high relief. Very good condition.

A fine neoclassical coral cameo set in a metal brooch. Bust of a bearded philosopher.

19th century

Cameo : 23 x 32 x 16 mm
12,65 g

Philosopher bust in high-relief, with a frontal draped bust and the face turned slightly three-quarters to the right. The figure is characterized by a thick hair and a thick beard, physiognomic features inspired by classical statuary. Very good condition.

A fine Victorian coral cameo set in a gold brooch. Bacchante.

19th century

Cameo : 26 x 39 x 18 mm
15,55 g

The figure is turned to the left, with the draped bust and the thick hair adorned with bunches and grape leaves. The cameo is mounted in an elegant gold brooch characterized by two protruding side parts (bundle of rods tied by ribbons), each ending with a ram head. Very fine condition.

A fine red coral neoclassical cameo set in a gold brooch. Bacchus and Cupid.

19th century

23 x 28 x 8 mm
10,04 g

A fine neoclassical scene inspired by the relief «Amore e Bacco» (1810, 1824) of Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844). The young god is seated on the rocks on the left side, facing right, giving a cup to quench the thirst of an erote (winged genio). At his feet, a panther. Very fine work, well composed and executed in high relief. Mirror polishing. Perfect condition.

A Victorian red coral cameo set in a gold brooch with two small coral cameo set in earrings.

19th century

Cameo brooch : 20 x 34 x 9 mm
11,88 g


Draped bust of a young male, engraved in high relief, set in a beautiful gold mounting decorated with chiseled leafs.
Two small female portraits for the earrings. Good condition.

A carnelian cameo mounted in a gold brooch. Bust of a Saint Anthony of Padua.

19th century

Cameo : 24 x 29 mm
12,40 g

The saint is turned to the left, wears his typical robe and nimbus on his head. The cameo, finely engraved on a vivid red carnelian, is mounted in an elegant gold brooch adorned with stylized floral patterns on the frame. Very fine condition.