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 LARGE AGATE INTAGLIO. PERSEUS FREEING ANDROMEDA.
A LARGE AGATE INTAGLIO. PERSEUS FREEING ANDROMEDA.
Early 19th century
34x37x4 mm
The mythological scene is composed of Perseus on the right helping Andromeda to descend from the rocks to which she had been chained. At the bottom, under the baseline, a snake to symbolize the monstrous creature defeated by the hero to free Andromeda. In the background, two doves hold in their beaks a ribbon wound between the two figures, symbol of triumphant love. The scene, excluding the presence of the doves and the snake, is based on an ancient Roman marble bas-relief already well known in the 18th century (Rome, Musei Capitolini). Some engravers, including Giovanni Pichler (1734-1791) carved this scene. The intaglio, engraved on a treated carnelian, is characterized by a thin white layer to obtain an elegant contrast effect. The same type of stone is also engraved by famous artists such as Morelli. Slight superficial crack in the central area of the stone. This carnelian has been treated with alkali and heat (not honey).
"Multum in parvo" (Wartski's catalogue of egraved gems): p. 114 n. 63; p. 122 n. 68 and p. 130 n 73 (same type of stone and style, by Niccolò Morelli 1771-1838).
Provenance: U.K private collection