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 RARE ROMAN BLUE SAPPHIRE INTAGLIO. GRYLLOS.
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.