Bertolami Fine Art - Piazza Lovatelli 1, 00186 Roma
ASTA 267 - GLITTICA ASTA 267 - GLITTICA
Friday 7 July 2023 hours 12:30 (UTC +00:00)
A FINE ROMAN TWO LAYERED CAMEO SET IN A GEORGIAN RING. VOTIVE SCENE.
A FINE ROMAN TWO LAYERED CAMEO SET IN A GEORGIAN RING. VOTIVE SCENE.
1st century A.D.
Stone 16x21 mm; int. Size 16,5x22 mm; 4,57 gr.
A male character is standing, three-quarters facing right. With his right hand he holds a rod (or scepter), with his left hand he holds the bridle of his horse which is behind him, facing right in profile. The man is wearing a traveling cloak with his legs uncovered. On the left, a tree; to the right, a half-column with a cinerary urn above it. The scene probably requires more research for its full identification. Paoletti, in his glass impression collection, identified the subject (but without landscape and urn on the column) as one of the Dioscuri. The scene seems inspired by bas-reliefs. The male figure is characterized by physiognomic features that can probably be referred to the Augustan age. The horse is inspired by classical Greek models. The man seems to arrive in a bucolic place to contemplate or visit the incinerated remains of a family member or a comrade in arms.Very fine style and beautiful execution. Wear marks. Little missing on the edge and frame.
For a very similar scene and style, see: L.P.Biroli Stefanelli, La Collezione Paoletti, vol. I, p. 41 n. 150 ("Polluce uno delli Dioscuri" from a sardonyx intaglio).
Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired on the art market.