ASTA 107 - Glittica

A fine neoclassical Poniatowski chalcedony intaglio signed Gnaios, set in a gold frame. Crimisus and Egesta.

19th century.

Crimisus, the river god of Sicily, in a shape of a bear, paying court to Egesta. The woman is sitting on top of the rocks, with her body to the left but turns back to hug the bear. Vegetation in the background. Interesting scene of Metamorphosis and love. The signature: ΓΝΑΙΟΣ. Beautiful chalcedony, set in a 19th century gold frame.

Provenance and literature: Catalogue des pierres graves antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): IV.345 Christie's, London: 1839-2426 Prendeville, J.: Explanatory catalogue of the proof-impressions of the antique gems possessed by the late Prince Poniatowski and now in the possession of John Tyrrell, Esq. (1841): 739 Monson, (Lord) Christie's, London: June 9, 1851lot 226.

Stone 27 x 36 mm; mounting 30 x 39 mm; 13,34 gr.

A fine neoclassical Poniatowski chalcedony intaglio signed Apollonides, set in a gold frame. Pelopea killing herself with Thyestes and Aegisthus.

19th century.

Pelopea killing herself in the presence of Thyestes and Aegisthus. The woman is reclining on the ground, dying, piercing her side with the sword. Beside her, Thyestes and Aegisthus are desperate and raise their arms in shock, their cloaks lifting into the air. Dramatic scene of great expressive power. Beautiful symmetrical composition. The signature: ΑΠΟΛΛΟΝΙΔΟΥ. The intaglio is performed on a splendid chalcedony mounted in a 19th century gold frame.

Provenance and literature: Catalogue des pierres graves antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): IV.324 Christie's, London: 1839-1347 Prendeville, J.: Explanatory catalogue of the proof-impressions of the antique gems possessed by the late Prince Poniatowski and now in the possession of John Tyrrell, Esq. (1841): 719 Monson, (Lord) Christie's, London: 27.06.1854; lot 34.

Stone 23 x 43 mm; mounting 27 x 47 mm; 12,14 gr.

A fine neoclassical Poniatowski carnelian intaglio signed Dioskourides, set in a gold frame. Iris sent by Zeus commanding Priam.

19th century.

Iris sent by Jupiter commanding Priam, who is attended by two others seated figures, to redeem the body of Hector. The gem is signed: ΔΙΟΣΚΟΥΡΙΔΗΣ ΕΠΟΙΕΙ. Beautiful composition. The intaglio is set in a 19th century gold frame.

Provenance and literature: Catalogue des pierres graves antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): V.346. : Christie's, London: 1839-1318.

Stone 24 x 31 mm; mounting 26 x 33 mm; 5,57 gr.

A fine neoclassical carnelian intaglio signed Gnaios, set in a gold brooch. Perseus cutting the head of Medusa.

19th century.

This gem is not listed in the Beazley Archive inventory of the Poniatowski gems. But, interestingly, there is a similar scene : PERSEUS CUTTING OFF THE HEAD OF MEDUSA, signed  ΔΙΟΣΚΟΥΡΙΔΟΥ, current collection: Unknown (Sardonyx), Cfr.: Catalogue des pierres gravées antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): IV.19; Christie’s, London: 1839-1324; Calandrelli drawing, Antikensammlung Berlin: Z.II.23; Prendeville, J.: Explanatory catalogue of the proof-impressions of the antique gems possessed by the late Prince Poniatowski and now in the possession of John Tyrrell, Esq. (1841): 483; Monson, (Lord); Christie’s, London: June 9, 1851, lot 158, 231 and 239; Platz-Horster,G.: L’antica maniera. Zeichnungen und Gemmen des Giovanni Calandrelli in der Antikensammlung Berlin (2005): p.33. 

Might it be that a second version, or the original model, of that intaglio? In this unpublished  version, the style and the executive technique are superior and the composition slightly different from the drawing  for some variants. Here the hero stands in the center of the scene, facing left to decapitate Medusa asleep on top of the rocks; however, in the act of raising his sword, he looks back at his monstrous reflection in the shield, not to be petrified by his fatal gaze. The signature: ΓΝΑΙΟΣ. Probably by Calandrelli. Very fine gold setting, dating from the 19th century.  

Provenance: Uk private collection, London. Probably from the Poniatowski collection.

Stone 35 x 42 mm; mounting 44 x 52 mm; 18,05 gr.

A fine neoclassical Poniatowski carnelian intaglio signed Gnaios, set in a gold pendant. Theophane and Neptune.

19th century.

Theophane borne by Neptune, transformed into a ram, to the island of Crumissa. The figures are facing right. Teophane holds on to the ram's horn with his left hand, while with his right he holds the cloak lifted by the wind. Below, the waves of the sea, where an erote also sails on a dolphin with a trident.The signature: ΓΝΑΙΟΣ. The gem is set in a beautiful 19th century gold pendant.

Provenance and literature: Catalogue des pierres graves antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): IV.145 Christie's, London: 1839-647 Prendeville, J.: Explanatory catalogue of the proof-impressions of the antique gems possessed by the late Prince Poniatowski and now in the possession of John Tyrrell, Esq. (1841): 566. Monson, (Lord) Christie's, London: June 9, 1851, lot 24 Sharp, (Samuel) Sotheby's, London: 5 April 1883: lot 11

Stone 22 x 35 mm; mounting 40 x 40 mm circa; 8.58 gr.

A fine neoclassical Poniatowski carnelian intaglio signed Dioskourides, set in a gold pendant. Mezentius vowing to avange the death of Lausus, sustaining him.

19th century.

The warrior supports with his right arm the naked body of Lausus, who falls lifeless backwards. Mezentius wears a helmet and a cloak. Below, on the ground line, an helmet and a sword; next to the figures, a shield and a spear. Below, the signature in greek letters: ΔΙΟΣΚΟΥΡΙΔΟΥ. Extraordinary composition engraved with great skill. The gem is mounted in a 19th gold pendant.

Provenance: Catalogue des pierres gravées antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): VII.70 Christie's, London: 1839-1293 Prendeville, J.: Explanatory catalogue of the proof-impressions of the antique gems possessed by the late Prince Poniatowski and now in the possession of John Tyrrell, Esq. (1841): 1144 Monson, (Lord) Christie's, London: June 9, 1851, lot 286. Cfr. Beazley Archive gem database.

Stone 40 x 50 mm including frame; with pendant ring h. 55 mm; 18,04 gr.