ASTA 107 - Glittica

A fine renaissance agate intaglio set in a swivel gold ring. Mythological scene with Triptolemus and Ceres.

17th century.

Interesting allegorical scene depicting Triptolemus who received poppy flowers from Ceres; these flowers, distributed to farmers, produce a sweet sleep and a quiet rest. The female figure is also interpreted as the Night. After an intaglio by Valerio Belli. The stone is set in a 18th century swivel ring. Very good condition. Parallels: L.P. P. Stefanelli, La Collezione Paoletti, vol. 1, p. 134 n. 198. After a model of Valerio Belli. Cfr. red jasper intaglio, Paris, BNF Cabinet des Médailles (Mariette 1750, I, tav. LX- Reinach 1895, tav. 88, 60. Valerio Belli Vincentino 2000, p. 359 n. 157, fig. p. 146. Cfr. Plaquette in Hermitage Museum, Saint Petesburg.

Stone 14 x 17 mm; ring size 17 x 20 mm; 4,70 gr.

A fine renaissance carnelian intaglio set in a gold seal fob. Sacrifice scene after Valerio Belli.

16th century.

The scene is composed of seven characters, all facing right, dressed in tunics and cloaks in the ancient roman style. The figures are towards an altar with burning flames proceeding a sacrifice. In the background, a tetrastyle temple with a tympanum and decorated with garlands. Some figures have a veiled head. After Valerio Belli, with variants. Wear marks. Chip on the edge, under the groud line. Cfr. Beazley Archive, TASSIE nn. 8993-8414; R. Gennaioli, Le Gemme dei Medici al Museo degli Argenti. Cammei e Intagli nelle collezioni di Palazzo Pitti, p. 365 n. 492; H. Burns, M. Collareta, D. Gasparotto, Valerio Belli Vicentino (1468c. - 1546), cat. n. 12-13-14-15 (Rock crystal and gold, Chatsworth, Duke of Devonshire coll; Rock crystal, Hermitage Museum, Saint-Petesburgh; Rock crystal, London, BM; cfr. bronze plaquettes).

Stone 19 x 23 mm; H. 27 mm; 10,48 gr.

A garnet intaglio set in later gold ring. Bust of Julius Caesar.

17th - 18th century.

The bust of the roman dictator faces right. On the head, a laurel wreath. The bust is draped. In the field, the lituus and a star, symbol of its apotheosis. The portrait is characterized by his typical aquiline profile, with realistic anatomical features. Slight signs of wear. The gem is mounted in a later gold ring, with a braided frame. Attractive color of the stone.

Stone 9 x 12 mm; ring size 17 x 17,5 mm; 3,27 gr.

A renaissance heliotrope intaglio set in a modern massive gold ring. Erotic scene.

17th century.

The scene shows an helmeted warrior taking a naked young woman from behind, their faces facing each other. In the field, shield and spear. Groundline. With rounded hoop extanding on broader shoulders into an oval bezel where the intaglio is inserted. Small gold integration on the edge of the stone. Parallels: for the subject and the scene, see Le gemme dei Medici al Museo degli Argenti. Cammei ed intagli nelle collezioni di Palazzo Pitti, n. 511 p. 374, erotic scene inspired by the Modi of Marcantonio Raimondi after the drawings of Giulio Romano.

Int diam 20 mm; intaglio 15x17 mm; 19 gr.

Agate cameo set in a stick pin. Mask of an old character.

17th - 18th century.

Unusual three-layered onyx cameo, mounted on a gold stick pin and surrounded by small faceted garnets, partially missing. Facing head of a bearded man, wearing a skullcap.

Stone 9 x 12 mm; H. 80,5 mm; 3,19 gr.

A large postclassical lapis lazuli cameo set in a gold pendant. Head of Apollo.

19th century (?).

The face is frontal, with youthful features, characterized by large eyes with engraved iris, long linear nose, archaic smile. The hair is divided into curls and braids. For the iconography, probably Apollo, the subject seems to be inspired by the Etruscan art and by the Greek kouros. The stone shows ancient signs of wear and deposits. Probably a product of the late 19th century Etruscan revival. The cameo, characterized by a very protruding high relief, is mounted with a solid gold pendant. Edge of the frame slightly damaged.

cameo 35x49 mm; overall 48x71 mm; 82,24 gr.

A safavid blue sapphire intaglio. Bust of a ruler.

16th - 17th century

The male bust is presented facing left and characterized by well-engraved details; he wears an ornamented turban with jewels and a long feather covering a part of his hair. The face is framed by a long pointed beard. He wears an ornamented tunic with necklaces. Beautiful deep blue color. 

9x10x4 mm

A neoclassical beryl intaglio. Portrait of Nero.

19th century

The laureated emperor is facing right and characterized by strong features: severe gaze, frowning eyebrows, a straight nose, full lips. His face is framed by a short beard and hair made up of short wavy locks.

15x15x4 mm

A Georgian agate seal. Gryllos with a motto.

18th century.

The hybrid creature is composed by three bearded male heads conjoined over a broad neck, which rests on an intertwined ground line. All around, the motto with three latin words, a metaphor for prudence: "PRAETIO PRUDENTIA PRAESTAT" ("Prudence supplies a reward"). Chip at the top of the edge, above PRUDENTIA.

Stone bezel 18 x 23 mm; H. 35 mm; 6.70 gr.

A postclassical agate cameo. Male bust.

18th century

The young character is facing left and characterized by a muscular neck and thick curly hair. Inspired by classical models. The stone is engraved in high-relief. .

19 x 26 x 6,5 mm.

A fine neoclassical agate cameo. Female bust.

18th century.

The female effigy faces left, and is characterized by a draped bust and refined hair. The typology of the portrait refers to the models of the early roman imperial age. Slight crack at the top of the gathered hair. Beautiful execution.

15x21x4 mm

A neoclassical onyx cameo. Female portrait.

Early 19th century.

The deity, probably Juno, is facing left, with long hair hanging over the shoulder and gathered in a headband. The background is characterized by beautiful white on brown zoning. Said to have been found "in excavations outside the walls of Rome".

20 x 25 x 6 mm.

A fine agate cameo set in a gold ring. Veiled bust

18th - 19th century.

Veiled female bust, facing right. Probably a Vestal, or an empress. Beautiful execution with refined and delicate details. Very good condition.

Stone 15 x 22 mm; ring size 16 x 18 mm; 12,27 gr.

A fine onyx cameo set in a gold ring. Conjoined busts of Pericles and Aspasia.

18th - 19th century.

The two busts are joined, facing to the left. In the foreground, the bearded and helmeted character, with his shoulders covered by a cloak, is identifiable with the athenian statesman Pericles. In the background, the bust of Aspasia. Wear marks and slight surface cracks in the stone. Interesting artistic use of the different colored layers of the agate.

Stone 23 x 28 mm; ring size 18 x 19mm; 11,20 gr.

A neoclassical agate cameo set in a silver ring. Bust of Phocion.

18th - 19th century.

The character is depicted with a frontal bust and the face in profile, facing left. Phocion was an Athenian politician, military leader, famous for his moral integrity. His iconography spread during the 18th - 19th century and it was engraved by different artists, with the same pose, as Girometti and Santarelli (cameo in agate, signed Girometti – in Greek letters, on antique market n. LU1203427973, referred to an ancient chalcographic engraving, titled: PHOCION ATHENIENSIS Dux Summus, Summus Orator - Cingoli apud Anton Maria Castiglionum). The stone is slightly cracked. Chip on the ear and wear marks. The cameo has a gold frame (probably was a seal), converted in a solid silver ring.  

See: Lucia Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti (vol.2), cast n. 355 Tome V, drawer 6 n. inv. MR 26989 (cameo in agate-chalcedony signed by Pichler, called Lisimaco, Farnese collection, Naples, National Archaeological Museum; cast n. 33 Tome VI drawer n. 1, inv. MR 27237).

Stone 18 x 24 mm; ring size diam. 20 mm; 34,50 gr.

A Grand Tour agate cameo set in a gold brooch. Bust of a matrona.

18th century.

Draped bust of matrona, facing left. The hairstyle  is referable to the Flavian era. Probably a portrait of a roman empress or a princess (Julia Titi?). The cameo, engraved on a two-layer agate, is mounted in an elegant 19th century brooch, with a mixtilinear frame, decorated with floral and vegetal elements (palmette, rosette, leaves). Very good condition.

cameo 19x29x5 mm; overall 44x60 mm; 21,48 gr.

A fine agate cameo set in a gold mounting. Bust of the emperor Caracalla.

18th century.

The emperor is depicted with the frontal torso and the face turned three-quarters to the right, in his typical pose with the neck in torsion. The sturdy shoulders are covered by a chlamys with a buckle. The beautiful execution reveals a great knowledge of the anatomical volumes. Beautiful variety of agate. The stone is broken in half but is still firm in its original setting. The gold frame is characterized by small lacks.

Stone 25 x 34; mounting 30 x 44 mm; 22,10 gr.

A fine agate cameo set in a gold brooch. Bust of Hermes.

18th century.

The bust of the deity is depicted frontally, with only one shoulder covered by the cloak. The face is slightly reclined three-quarters, with the eyes in an expression of sweet melancholy. Refined execution, of great beauty. The stone is characterized by a mirror polish and intense color. The subject is inspired by the graeco-roman statuary models.

Stone 26 x 34 mm; 14,69 gr.

An italian agate cameo set in a gold brooch. Female bust with a Medusa shield.

Early 19th century.

The divinity is presumably to be identified with Athena, characterized by her typical tunic and the hairs gathered, divided in the center of the forehead, usually covered by the helmet. Unusual is the presence of the shield attached to the face and bust of the figure; its size is smaller than usual but its allegorical and apotropaic meaning, with the Medusa mask, always remains important. Rare.

Stone 18 x 25 mm; 9,45 gr.

A rare neoclassical onyx cameo signed by Teresa Talani. Head of Apollo.

Early 19th century.

Beautiful head of Apollo laureate facing right. The model is certainly the gold stater of Philip II (Macedonia, Amphipolis 340-328 B.C.). The cameo is signed TERESA TALANI F. Two layer agate. Beautiful execution. For comparison: Gabriella Tassinari, Teresa Talani, incisore di gemme in epoca napoleonica in LANX 18 (2014), pp. 48-128.

21 x 26 x 7 mm.

A large neoclassical agate cameo set in a gold brooch. Female bust.

19th century.

The deity, probably Venus, has an almost frontal bust and a head in profile. The figure is characterized by a very thick and elaborate hair, finely engraved. This large agate, in two layers with a white effigy on a dark background, is mounted in a gold brooch with a twisted frame. The brooch closure mechanism is damaged.

cameo 34x50x12 mm; overall 45x60 mm; 67,48 gr.

A very large glass paste cameo plaque set in a gold frame. Allegorical scene.

18th - 19th century.

In the center, a standing male figure, with armor and cloak, facing left but with his head turned back to the right  (Emperor, Mars?). With his right hand he holds Eros in chains, kneeling and captive. On the right side of the scene, a draped allegorical female figure crowns the male figure, and holds a palm branch, symbol of victory. The scene, probably taken from the repertoires of the Wedgwood manufacture (or similar), is an allegory of  submissive love. The cameo is obtained using a two-layered glass paste: the figures are white, the field is dark blue. The work is mounted in a solid gold frame with a ring to hang it. Very decorative composition.

cameo 107x125x15 mm ; overall 170x122 mm

A large agate cameo set in a gold brooch. Bust of a child signed Amastini

19th century.

Bust of a child, facing left, with the bust in three quarters and the face in profile.. The portrait is characterized by a very refined hair tied by a tenia as for the hellenistic princes. Beautiful execution of the anatomical details, with high and well-proportioned volumes. On the field, the signature AMASTINI, partially covered by this Victorian gold leaf frame. Probably Niccolò Amastini (born Rome 1780–1851).

Stone 32 x 42 mm; mounting 43 x 57 mm; 24,37 gr.

A very fine onyx cameo set in a gold and enamel brooch. Female bust signed Girometti.

Early 19th century

Splendid female portrait, probably of a Muse, signed and engraved by Giuseppe Girometti (Italian, Rome 1780–1851 Rome). The figure is turned to the right, and is characterized by an extremely finely engraved hair, comparable to the best works of the Italian engraver. The profile is typically neoclassical and is characterized by a passage of the various volumes / anatomical details performed with great art. The two-layer stone is mounted in a precious 18k gold brooch decorated with chiseled palmettes and parts in dark blue enamel. Very good condition. 

Cfr. Metropolitan Museum, inv. 40.20.39. Head of a maiden, sardonyx cameo by Giuseppe Girometti (Italian, Rome 1780–1851 Rome).

Stone 19 x 26 mm; mounting 29 x 37 mm; 11,28 gr.