ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

A GEORGIAN GOLD NECKLACE WITH PEARLS AND AGATE GEMSTONES.

18th century

370 mm circa; Stone min. 7x10 mm; max 9x12 mm; 18,51 gr

Composed of a double gold chain set with 15 box settings adorned with pearls and agate cameos depicting portraits, among them, Moores heads, noblemen and women.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market

A LOT OF 11 ITEMS INCLUDING A MISCELLANEA OF CAMEOS, INTAGLIOS, A MICROMOSAICO AND AN HARDSTONE INTARSIO. VARIOUS SUBJECTS AND VARIOUS MATERIALS.

18th - 19th century

Dim max 24 x 29 x 7 mm ; min. 10 x 12 x 3 mm

From left to right: bunch of flowers on hardtsones intarsio; a micromosaic showing Piazza San Pietro in Rome; a coral cameo with bust of a woman; lava stone cameo with bust of Bacchante; an agate cameo showing a seated priestress pouring water in a cup; a black hardstone intaglio with bust of a lady facing right; a roman carnelian intaglio showing a standing soldier (Mars ?); an agate intaglio with portrait of a man facing left; an agate intaglio with portrait of an helmeted man facing left; a glass cameo with bust of a Lady facing right; an agate cameo with portrait of a god facing left. Small missing and wear marks.

A LARGE AGATE ONYX CAMEO SET IN A GOLD ENAMELED BROOCH. POSEIDON WITH THE SEAHORSES.

19th century

Stone 20x28 mm; Brooch 38x40; 12 gr

The divinity is depicted with a muscular naked body, seated on a shell (which acts as a chariot) pulled by two sea horses. The stone is characterized by multiple alternating white and dark layers, used with skill by the engraver. The stone is chipped on top and is mounted in an elegant gold brooch chiseled with green and white enamels.

Provenance: U.K private collection

A LARGE VICTORIAN GOLD BROOCH SET WITH 12 HARDSTONES INTAGLIOS. VARIOUS SUBJECTS.

Brooch: 19th century; gems: 2nd century A.D. to 17th century

Stone min. 7x10 mm; max 16x17 mm; 25,90 gr

From the top: a Roman red jasper intagio with seated Ades; a Roman carnelian intaglio with a standing figure near a tripod; a Roman dark green jasper with a quadriga of Helios; a Roman red jasper intaglio with eagle devouring a pray; a dark stone intaglio with a gryllos (jasper?); a carnelian intaglio with two animals; a postclassical intaglio with a faun holding a kylix; a Roman carnelian intaglio with an offerer; the central gem is a postclassical agate intaglio with a philosopher portrait; the last three, from left, are: a Roman carnelian intaglio with Spes; a Roman carnelian intaglio with Mars; a Roman carnelian intaglio with Athena.

Provenance: U.K private collection

A FINE PERIDOT CAMEO SET IN AN ENAMELED BROOCH. BUST OF BACCHANTE.

Late 19th century

Stone 9x13 mm; Brooch 29x47 mm; 9,52 gr

This brooch is based upon several similar enameled jewels design attribuated to Carlo Giuliano (Italian, active England ca. 1831-1895). Some missing for the enamel and for the pin brooch on the backside (it was converted into a ring). Beautiful green peridot used for engrave the bust of a Bacchante. Wear marks.

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

A LARGE CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN GOLD ENAMELED BROOCH WITH DIAMONDS. HERCULES SECURING CERBERUS.

19th century.

Stone 22x29 mm; Brooch 37x40 mm; 11,97 gr

Hercules, facing the entrance to the Inferos, firmly secures Cerberus, holding his fierce three heads between his legs. To the left, the club; to the right, the lion's skin. The gem, rectangular in shape with rounded edges, is mounted in a precious brooch with floral motifs and bows embellished with six diamonds and enamel decorations. The scene takes place horizontally but is based on a Poniatowski gem that instead shows the scene vertically.

For the same subject, see : Beazley Archive - Poniatowski database T431, carnelian intaglio HERCULES SECURING CERBERUS signed ΑΠΟΛΛΟΝΙΔΟΥ; current Collection: Paris, Cabinet des medailles, Bibliotheque nationale de France: H 2937, inv 433
Previous Collections:Catalogue des pierres graves antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): II.325


Provenance: U.K private collection

A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN.

18th century

Stone 13x20 mm; int. size 15x17,5 mm; 5,19 gr.

Interesting and unusual private portrait of a young gentleman, probably French, facing left. The effigy is characterized by thick hair. Beautiful bright red color of the stone in the original coeval ring.

Provenance: French collection, late 19th ; European collection, acquired on the market, early 2000's.

A LARGE CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A LATER GOLD RING. ALLEGORICAL SCENE.

17th - 18th century

Stone 20x23 mm; int. Size 17,5x23 mm; 11 gr.

A partially naked female figure, covered only by a cloak, lovingly embraces a handsome young naked warrior wearing only a helmet and a cloak. Probably Venus and Mars. The male figure holds a shield on which a heraldic coat of arms is depicted consisting of a cup surmounted by a radiant sun (this type of sun recalls the Gonzagas). Behind, some plants. Beautiful execution and color of the stone.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A NEOCLASSICAL CARNELIAN INTAGLIO BY BERINI SET IN A GOLD RING. MALE PORTRAIT.

18th-19th century

Stone 16x23 mm; int. Size 18x20 mm; 9,86 gr.

The effigy is turned to the right, with a tunicated bust, wavy hair held by a band (taenia), a broad forehead, an aquiline nose, a slightly open mouth with a grimace of power, the marked features typical of a ruler or of a general. Possibly a portrait of a noble in the guise of a Hellenistic Greek ruler ("ritratto all'antica"). On the cut of the neck, the signature BER for Antonio Berini (1770-1861). Beautiful execution and attractive vivid red color of the stone.

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired on the art market.

AN AGATE CAMEO SET IN A GOLD PENDANT. BUST OF AN HELMETED WARRIOR.

18th century

Stone 28x35 mm; H max 50 mm; 11,83 gr

Possibly the portrait of a private person in heroic guise. The helmeted head is in profile to the left, while the bust is almost frontal, partially covered by a cloak, with the strap of the sword sheath visible. The helmet is decorated with a running griffin and a sphinx. The man is characterized by peculiar facial features and long wavy hair. Nice four layered agate work.

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired on the art market.

A FINE NEOCLASSICAL PONIATOWSKI CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD PENDANT. PORTRAIT OF POLLA ARGENTARIA.

19th century.

Stone 20x23 mm; H max 42 mm; 16,77 gr

The portrait is facing left. In the field, the inscription POLLA ARGENTARIA (wife of the roman poet Lucano). The gemstone has slightly signs of wear and is set in an elegant "Hercules knot" motif swivel pendant.

Beazley Archive - Poniatowski database: reference no. 1839-2088

Provenance: From the S.A. Poniatowski gems collection. Published in the Catalogue des pierres graves antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): IX.3.40
Christie's, London: 1839-2088

A LARGE GRAND TOUR GLASS IMPRESSION SET IN A GOLD PENDANT. FOUR DEITIES INSIDE THE ZODIACAL CIRCLE.

19th century

Diam. 58 mm; H max 83; 65,12 gr

After a large carnelian intaglio executed in the 16th century from the French Royal collection (Collection de Louis XIV, Cabinet du Roi; actually Paris BNF - Cabinet des médailles). The scene is composed by a central area with enthroned Zeus, standing Apollo and Hermes with Neptune, surrounded by the twelve zodiacal signs. This intaglio, the so called "Zodiaque", is after a drawing of Raphael engraved by Marcantonio Raimondi (1480-1534). This dark glass cast impression is taken after this stone during the Grand Tour Era and it is mounted in a solid gold pendant.

Brown, Clifford Malcom. Engraved Gems. Survivals and Revivals. Washington : 1997, p.199 et 221, n°101.
Chabouillet, Anatole. Catalogue général et raisonné des camées et pierres gravées de la Bibliothèque impériale. Paris : 1858, n°2391.
Mariette, Pierre-Jean. Traité des Pierres gravées. Paris : 1750, II, pl.I. BNF Medailles at Antiques Archive: inv.58.2391 for the original stone intaglio (model).

Provenance: U.K private collection