ASTA 267 - GLITTICA
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Lot 241 A ROMAN NICOLO INTAGLIO. VASE.
2nd century A.D.
9 x 12 x 3 mm.
Two-handled vase with rounded body resting on a three-legged support. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired in the british art market. -
Lot 242 A ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO. CRESCENT MOON WITH A STAR.
1st century B.C - 1st century A.D.
12 x 12 x 6 mm.
Above a crescent sun, below a star, according to a less common variant. Square-shaped intaglio with convex back, for greater the brightness of the stone. Beautiful deep purple vivid color. Slight wear marks.
Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired in the british art market. -
Lot 243 A ROMAN NICOLO INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN SOLID GOLD RING. MUREX SHELL.
1st - 2nd century A.D.
Stone 13x15 mm; int. size 18x21 mm; 23,71 gr
A fine and interesting representation of a spiny murex shell. Wear marks. Mucus from the hypobrachial gland of the murex was used to make purple dye, referred to as Tyrian purple or royal purple, as it was primarly used for dying royal garments. Tyre was the main production centre for purble dye in the Mediterranean.
For a similar iconography see: British Museum, 1987,0212.467; Musée du Louvre, Gy 3945;
Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired from Christie's Sale 07/12/2006 (with a different gold ring), with Ariadne Gallery NY, 1980s. -
Lot 244 A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. ROOSTER HUNTING A SNAKE ON A VASE.
1st-2nd century A.D.
Stone 6x7 mm; int. diam 16 mm; 4.82 gr.
The bird is facing left and takes a small snake out of a jug. Dotted frame. Hexagonal shape of the gem. Rare subject. Wear marks.
Provenance: European collection, acquired on the market, early 2000's. -
Lot 245 A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. ALLEGORICAL EMBLEMA WITH TWO SEAGOATS.
1st century A.D.
Stone 10x12 mm; int. size 16,5x17,5 mm; 8,76 gr.
Two seagoats conjoined as in an emblema, with tails superimposed and crossed, facing to the opposite side from each other. Above, a star. Below, a globe and a trident. Great Augustean allegory of the supreme dominion of the Empire between sky, earth and sea. The gem is damaged, chipped with a lack partially covered by a gold integration. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.K. private collection -
Lot 246 A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. ALLEGORICAL EMBLEMA.
1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.
11x12x2,5 mm
In the center, a ring with a lituus surmounted by a parrot. Beneath, two dolphins towards a globe. Allegorical emblema. Wear marks and chip on the edge.
Provenance: The Gustave Mustaki collection, exported from Egypt under licence c.1950 and gifted to Elsa MacLellan, his daughter, thence by descent. -
Lot 247 A RARE ROMAN BLUE SAPPHIRE INTAGLIO. GRYLLOS.
1st century B.C - 1st century A.D.
13 x 15 x 3 mm
The hybrid creature is composed of a horse protome with a silenus mask on its chest, a ram's head with an ear of corn as its body and a dolphin as an ending. The fantastic creature is guided by a butterfly using reins. The scene is engraved on a natural sapphire which is characterized by thin thickness, almost sharp edges, slightly convex surfaces, beautiful color and polish. The marine subject matches perfectly with the color of the stone. Rare. Minor lacks on the edge and signs of wear.
For a similar subject, see The Cornwell plaster cast gems impressions database, n. 3170 ("Sea monster with a head for a chest"). L. P. Biroli Stefanelli, la collezione Paoletti, Tomo IV, n. 563 (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien, inv. IXB,1158.
Provenance: U.K private collection from the british art market, 1990s-2000s. -
Lot 248 A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. GRASSHOPPER DRIVING A CHARIOT DRAWN BY TWO BUTTERFLYES.
1st century B.C - 1st century A.D.
14 x 17 x 3 mm
A small chariot is pulled by two butterflies and driven by a grasshopper who holds the reins. Groundline. Interesting subject referable to that category where insects, especially grasshoppers, perform human actions. The gem is rectangular with rounded edges. Small chips and wear marks. Rare.
For a very similar iconography see British Museum, gem n. 2549 inv. 1814,0704.1446 (carnelian set in a gold ring) and nd drawings n. 2010,5006.1094: 2010,5006.1015.
Provenance: U.K private collection from the british art market, 1990s-2000s. -
Lot 249 A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. GRYLLOS.
1st century B.C - 1st century A.D.
12,5 x 17,5 x 2 mm
Fantastic hybrid creature, composed by the union of a fly with a scorpion. Between the claws, a lunar crescent, with magical astrological reference. Beautiful vivid red color of the stone. Slight wear marks. Rare subject.
For a similar iconography see British Museum, inv. n. 1814,0704.1451and 1814,0704.1453.
Provenance: U.K private collection from the british art market, 1990s-2000s. -
Lot 250 A RARE ROMAN HEMATITE ENGRAVED BEAD. GRASSHOPPER AND SKELETON.
2nd - 3rd century A.D.
H max 27 mm;
Irregular in shape and pierced lengthwise this bead is engraved with a particular design; a grasshopper standing right playing the double flute to a skeleton leaning on the ground with a skull in his right hand and another one beneath his left elbow. Groundline. The playing grasshopper representing life is thus confronted with the Death symbolized by the skeleton. This engraved bead is an allegory of the fleetingness of life.
The bead is possibly more ancient and reused in roman times for its magical properties.
Wear marks.
Christopher A. Faraone, Inscribed Greek Thunderstones as House- and Body-Amulets in Roman Imperial Times, p. 257-284
Provenance: U.K. private, acquired on the art market 1980s-1990s -
Lot 251 A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. PANOPLIA.
2nd century A.D.
9x12x3 mm
This depiction symbolizes the weapons of a soldier. From left to right: the greaves, the sword in its scabbard, the cuirass, the spear, the helmet over the shield. Groundline. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.K private collection -
Lot 252 A ROMAN GREEN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. WARSHIP.
1st-2nd century A.D.
8,5x10,5x3,5 mm
Roman military galley with the rostrum facing left. Above, two "insigna". The "aplustre" is also visible. Wear marks.
Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the London art market 1990s-early 2000s -
Lot 253 A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO SET IN A GEORGIAN GOLD RING. ALLEGORY OF THE NEMESIS.
1st century A.D.
Stone 12x15 mm; int. diam 19 mm; 7,13 gr
Composed of to joinded rounded hoops surmounted an oval box setting. The junction with intertwined gold wires. The intaglio set is depicting the bust of Helios facing left with a radiated crown. Beneath, the griffin with the wheel. Groundline. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.K. private collection -
Lot 254 A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. GRYLLOS.
1st - 2nd century A.D.
Stone 9x12 mm; int. size 16x18 mm; 10,24 gr
A ram's head facing left is conjoined to a youthful face to the right, probably a faun mask; in the field, an ear of corn. Beautiful apotropaic hybrid depiction. Slight wear marks.
Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired from Galerie Mariaud de Serres, Paris, in the early 2000s -
Lot 255 A ROMAN ONYX INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. GRYLLOS.
1st century B.C.
Stone 10x13 mm; int. size 16x19 mm; 19,16 gr
Gryllos composed of a wild boar's head and a satyr's head. Apotropaic subject. Slight wear marks.
Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the art market in the early 2000s -
Lot 256 A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN SOLID GOLD RING. GRYLLOS.
1st - 2nd century A.D.
Stone 10x12 mm; int. size 15x18 mm; 16,4 gr
Composed of a heads of Silenus and goat on rooster legs with horse protome on the top with ear of corn. In the field, a cornucopia. Apotropaic depiction. Wear marks.
Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the art market in the early 2000s -
Lot 257 A ROMAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. GRYLLOS.
2nd century A.D.
Stone 10x12 mm; int. diam 16 mm; 6,71 gr.
Apotropaic effigy composed of a juvenile mask and a bearded mask of silenus. Below, two Greek letters ΛΥ. Small missing on the edge. Wear marks.
Provenance: European collection, acquired on the market, early 2000's. -
Lot 258 A ROMAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO. GRYLLOS.
1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.
14x18x3 mm
The hybrid effigy is composed by a mask of a youth conjoined with two masks of bearded Silenus. The bald skull forming by them and forming a crested helmet. In the field, a pedum. Slight wear marks.
Provenance: Ex Sangiorgi collection, acquired in the late 19th-early 20th century ; Ex Christie's NY, 06/12/200, lot 335. This lot is sold under temporary import status. -
Lot 259 A ROMAN CARNELIAN AGATE INTAGLIO. BIRD ON A LYRE WITH A MOUSE ON ITS BEACK.
1st century A.D.
14 x 18 x 4 mm.
A raven to the right above a lyre holds a mouse by the tail in its beak. The bird and the musical instrument refer to Apollo. Interesting allegorical scene. Refined execution and beautiful variety of stone characterized by a darker red band in the center, horizontally. Wear marks.
Provenance: From the collection of an European gentleman, acquired on the art market -
Lot 260 A FINE ROMAN SARDONYX INTAGLIO. TWO CONJOINED THEATRICAL MASKS.
1st century A.D.
16x18x5 mm;
A comic bearded mask, in front view, is joined to a female tragic one, in profile to the left. The female mask has an ivy wreath. The comic mask features an open mouth, rounded nose and long, smooth beard. Even the tragic mask opens its mouth wide but in a dramatic grimace. The work is engraved with great skill with fine details. The depth of the carving reveals the clear layer under the caramelized front one. The choice of stone also alludes to his use as magical eye. Slight wear marks. Excellent state of conservation.
For a similar model: G.M.A. Richter, Catalogue of the engraved gems - MET NY, p. 119 n. 583. Slightly convex sard intaglio. For such combinations of masks cf. Furtwangler, Berl. Kat. Nos. 7023 ss.
Provenance: U.K. private, acquired on the art market 1980s-1990s -
Lot 261 A FINE ANCIENT CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SIGNED AYLOY SET IN A GOLD BROOCH. A DIONYSIAC MASK WITH A GORGONA MASK INSIDE THE MOUTH.
End of 1st century B.C. - Early 1st century A.D.
Stone 13x20 mm; Brooch 28x51 mm; 9.18 gr
This large intaglio is convex on both sides showing wear marks and light superficial scratches of ancient aspect. The mask of Silenus is deeply carved with a small frontal Medusa face inside the open mouth. The dionysiac mask is bearded, frontal, with the head adorned with a crown of ivy; it can be considered a comic mask. The eyes are rendered with a very clear circular engraved lines, the nose is large with globular elements, the thick and long beard engraved with fine and wavy lines to the right. This mask finds its best comparison both for the style, the iconography and the material with a Roman sard intaglio (always convex on both sides) depicting a double theatrical mask, Metropolitan Museum, New York. The eyes, brows, facial look, gaping mouth, beard, and in general the style, match. The intaglio is signed AVΛOY for Aulos on the bottom right. Aulos is considered to have been one of greatest gem engravers reported in ancient references to be in the employ of Augustus during the late 1st Century B.C. along with Dioscorides, Hyllos, and Solon. The Aulos signature can be found in several forms across a number of both ancient and neo-classical engraved gems.
Although it is difficult to know for certain, it is suspected that some of the Aulos signatures on ancient engraved gems may have also been added in the Renaissance or Neo-Classical period. However, The signature best compares to a convex amethyst intaglio with a Nereid on a seahorse, from the Sangiorgi Collection sold at Christies . It does not appear that this signature in particular has been excluded completely as a forgery, however, it has been subject to some debate in the scholarship (Boardman and Wagner (Masterpieces in miniature, p. 190) thought possibly original.“). Another close parallel for the style of the signature, see also the Marlborough gem n. 617 (n. 138), a rock crystal intaglio with an Erote holding a giant cornucopia, 1st century B.C. (Tassie 6607). This convex rock crystal from the Marlborough coll. was identified as possibly a genuine work of the engraver Aulos. The style and the model of that dyonisiac mask finds interesting others matches on gems and cast impressions with a similar subject, like from Paoletti, Cades and Tassie. For the signature style, see the comparisons. A further research is necessary. The gem is set in a beautiful gold brooch. The frame around the stone, octagonal in shape and pinkish in tone, seems to belong to an older and earlier setting than the addition of the ornamental part with leaves, in a different metal. Wear marks.
For parallels, see: G.M. A. Richter, Catalogue of the engraved gems. Greek-Etruscan-Roman. p. 119 n. 583. J. Boardman, C. Wagner, Masterpieces in miniature, p. 190. See also. L.P.B. Stefanelli, La Collezione Paoletti, vol. I, tomo Tomo II, n. 650 and 654; tomo IV, n 387; British Museum database for "masks"; KHM, red jasper intaglio with an erote putting is face on a large mask of Silenus ( Antikensammlung, IXb 526). Than, William Tassie red sulphur impression 1281 with a Beared Mask, Face (?) visible in the open mouth: Tassie 3884 - Lippert II 967 (Baron the Stain). Beazley Archive for the Marlborough gem 617 (138). See also the burnt intaglio set in a gold ring with Venus and Eros, British Museum with Tassie 6320; The Beverly gem n. 90 with a bust of young Hercules set in a gold ring; five intaglios identified in Philippe von Stosche's - Pierres Antiques Gravees published in 1724 which documented the known signed Aulos gems belived to be ancient at the time. Paralles can be do with Cades- Piombino Boncompagni e Tassie- Strozzi casts (Tassie 2119, 4083, 7896, 7614. Others interesting parallel for the style of the signature must be done with the intaglio showing a bull on a thyrsus signed by Hyllos, Paris, Cabinet des Medailles. G. Richter documents a group of gems by Aulos in the catalogue of the MET. Some others gems, but to be dated as Neoclassical, show an Aulos signature, but usually done with a different manner, like in a carthouche ( Tassie 4084 with the bust of Asclepius, attribuited to Antonio Pichler).
Provenance: Brooch setting suggests that the intaglio was mounted in Britain during the late 18th to early 19th century; U.S. private collection, acquired on the art market. This lot is sold under temporary import status. -
Lot 262 A FINE ROMAN CARNELIAN CAMEO SET IN A GEORGIAN GOLD RING. FRONTAL HEAD OF EROS.
1st - 2nd century A.D.
Stone 9x11 mm; Int. Size 16,5x17,5 mm; 2,84 gr
With a thin rounded hoop, flatten within and worked on the outside ending in broader openworked shoulders surmounting an oval bezel set with a carnelian cameo. The high relief carved head of Eros is frontal and characterized by his typical childish features; plain chicks and rounded eyes. The fronthead surmounted by a wide braid separating the hair in two. Wear marks.
Provenance: U.K. private collection -
Lot 263 A ROMAN PROVINCIAL SARDONYX CAMEO. FRONTAL HEAD OF GORGONA.
2nd - 3rd century A.D.
10,5x12x6,5 mm
Frontal head of Medusa, characterized by flowing and elaborate hair and facial features inspired by classical Greek models. The prominent part of the face (face, forehead hair and wings) are engraved on the red layer; other hair on the white layer; the field is again a reddish layer. Wear marks.
Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired from Antiquarium ltd, NY, in the 1990s-early 2000s -
Lot 264 A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO. MASK OF GORGONA.
1st - 2nd century A.D.
10 x 14 x 2 mm
In a frontal view and characterized by her typical features, a rounded face famed by hair made of snakes with tails knotted under the chin. Wear marks.
Provenance: From the collection of an European gentleman, acquired on the art market