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 neoclassical two-layers agate cameo mounted on a gold brooch, signed Berini. Bust of Caroline Murat.
A neoclassical two-layers agate cameo mounted on a gold brooch, signed Berini. Bust of Caroline Murat.
19th century
Cameo: 22 x 33 mm
8,30 g
This beautiful female portrait bust depicts Caroline Murat (1782-1839), facing left. The thick hair held on the front by adiadem, and by one band on the top, while, on the back, it’s tightened by an accessory of a net-like texture, following the style of the ancient heads. The two-layers stone is engraved in high relief with great skill for the anatomycal details and features of the private portrait. This portrait is characterized by interesting physiognomic features close to the natural model rather than idealized as in the official medals. Caroline Murat became Queen of Naples in 1808.
Published: Michel Duchamp, "Antonio Berini un des grandes graveurs italiens du XIXe siècle et le haut relief, Cahiers Numismatiques 169, Sept. 2006, pp. 47-59, fig. 12.
From the collection of Michel Duchamp (1922-2011)