Lot 210 | A fine roman sardonyx "Murrina" cameo set in a gold brooch. Mask. 1st century A.D. - 1st century B.C. (mounting 18th - 19th century).

Bertolami Fine Art - Bertolami Fine Art, 1 Harewood Place 1, W1S 1BU Londra

A fine roman sardonyx "Murrina" cameo set in a gold brooch. Mask. 1st century A.D. - 1st century B.C. (mounting 18th - 19th century).

A fine roman sardonyx "Murrina" cameo set in a gold brooch. Mask.

1st century A.D. - 1st century B.C. (mounting 18th - 19th century).

Comic frontal mask of a male character, characterized by braided hair, large eyes (hole passing through the pupils) and large mouth in a smiling grimace (through opening). Mirror polishing. On the back there are some natural micro holes/inclusions due to the natural conformation of the mineral (Sardonyx - Murrina). This kind of stone was used by the best gem engravers to create the most refined and precious works of Art during the Late Hellenistic and the Imperial Roman period. The cameo is mounted in a 19th century brooch with a thin rounded frame. Rare. For the Murrina examples, see D. Del Bufalo, Murrina Vasa. A luxury of Imperial Rome, 2016.

Stone diam. 25 mm; mounting diam. 28 mm; 5,10 gr.