Bertolami Fine Art - Riversdell Close 27, KT16 9JW Chertsey
Auction 86 - Glyptics and Ancient Jewelry sessione unica
Wednesday 9 December 2020 hours 14:00 (UTC +01:00)
A roman sapphire intaglio. Bust of the emperor Caracalla.
A roman sapphire intaglio. Bust of the emperor Caracalla.
Early 3rd century A.D. (circa)
9,5 x 9,5 x 5,5 mm
Bust of young Caracalla, Roman emperor (AD 198-217) wearing a cloack with a round fibula. The effigy presents the front bust and the head turned in profile towards the right, in its typical torsion. The physiognomy, the pose and the marked expression are typical of Caracalla: the forehead is wrinkled, the sunken eye, the mouth tightened, the neck in tension, the hair composed of short curls; the absence of the barbula indicates that it is a portrait made at his young age.
The precious intaglio, made on an extraordinary quality sapphire, shows signs of wear and traces of the execution with ancient instruments, executed with natural spontaneity and decision. The structure of the coat folds is inspired by the statuary models; the head also has a high relief which gives it a sculptural sense. The back of the stone must have been reworked in the Renaissance: it has many facets and ends pointed . Attractive vivid color of the stone. Very rare specimen and rare example of technical expertise given the hardness and small size of the piece. Slight chips on the edge. Wear marks.
Parallels: D. Scarisbrick, C. Wagner, J. Boardman, The Beverly collection of gems at Alnwick Castle, p. 227 n. 212; Beazley Archive: Story-Maskelyne, M.H.: The Marlborough Gems (1870): no. 485, Boardman, J., Scarisbrick, D., Wagner C., Zwierlein-Diehl, E: The Marlborough Gems (2009): no. 302 (Walters Art Museum, Baltimore: 42.1061, sapphire intaglio).
European private collection