ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

AN ITALIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. THEATRICAL MASK.

1st century B.C.

10x12x2 mm

Small theater mask facing left, engraved in the center of the field with large space around. Presence of globular elements. Slight wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired From the Galerie de Serres, Paris in the 1990s-early 2000s

AN HELLENISTIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. BUST OF A NEREID.

3rd-2nd century B.C.

12x15x3 mm

The young figure is facing left, and characterized by a slightly open mouth, rounded chin, long and thick hair, with strong inspiration from the Hellenistic models. The face is characterized by delicate features finely engraved and mirror polished. The left shoulder is seen from behind, as in the typical movement of swimming. The figure is variously interpreted as Nereid or as Leander crossing the Dardanelles to reach the lover Eros. Slight wear marks.

Parallels: A. Giuliano, I cammei dalla Collezione Medicea del Museo Archeologico di Firenze, pp. 216-217; L. P. B. Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti, vol. 1, tomo 2 n. 218, tomo 3 n. 480; Le Gemme Farnese, 1994, p. 122 n. 184 (225); G.M. A. Richter, Engraved gems. Greek, Etruscan and Roman, The Metropolitan Museum of New York, n. 150; J. Boardman, Greek gems and finger rings, n. 1003.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A PTOLEMAIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. BUST OF YOUTH WITH PHRYGIAN CAP.

2nd-1st century B.C.

14,5x16x4 mm

The male character is shown from behind, his head in profile facing left upward. He is characterized by a laureated Phrygian cap. The features of the face shown a large almond eye straight nose and semi-opened lips with proturding chin. His musculature is raised by strong shoulders covered by a cloak. The effigy can probably be identified with Paris. Chips and loss on the edge. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.S. private collection, acquired on the art market. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A FINE GREEK GARNET INTAGLIO. STANDING HERCULES.

2nd century B.C.

13x19,5x5 mm

In a contrapposto posture, the head facing right, the hero is standing naked, holding the club and the lion skin with the right arm and rising his left arm outwards. Groundline. Use of globular elements. Very fine anatomical details. Mirror polished. Beautiful colour of the stone. Very convex gem.Wear marks.

Provenance: Ex Sangiorgi collection, acquired in the late 19th-early 20th century ; Ex Christie's NY, 06/12/2007, lot 319. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A LARGE GREEK PTOLEMAIC HELLENISTIC AMETHYST INTAGLIO. CORNUCOPIA.

3rd - 2nd century B.C.

14 x 19 x 4 mm

Beautiful cornucopia full of details and decorations, typical of the Ptolemaic Greek taste. The cornucopia is radiate and is wrapped in a ribbon that hovers in the air. The tip is particularly elaborate expressing opulence. The subject is engraved on an extraordinary large elongated cabochon amethyst, characterized by a splendid brightness and vivid color. Slight wear marks.

For a close parallel, see the Greek ptolemaic kingdom coinage: Ptolemy III Euergetes. Gold Mnaieion, 246-222 B.C., Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV. Bust of the deified Ptolemy III wearing diadem and aegis; reverse: radiate and filleted cornucopia with greek inscription. Svoronos 1117. This particular type was struck by Ptolemy IV Philopator to commemorate his deified father, Ptolemy III Euergetes, as part of the gold donative paid to his troops during the fourth Syrian War (219-217 BC).

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market, 1990s-2000s.

A ROMAN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO. CHIMERA.

1st century B.C.

11x14x3 mm

The hybrid creature is composed of lion body, goat protome on back, snake tail. The beast walks by raising its right paw upwards. Groundline. Wear marks and minimal chips to the edge. Beautiful choice of the stone.

Provenance: U.K private collection

A LARGE ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. ATHENA WITH HER WEAPONS AND A SNAKE.

2nd-1st century B.C.

Stone 13x18 mm; int. size 16x20 mm; 7,49 gr

With rounded hoop expanding upwards onto an oval bezel with a carnelian intaglio; the helmeted goddess is standing left, her left arm resting on a column, the hand holding the spear. Her right hand raised mastering the snake. Behind the column, her shield. Groundline. The presence of the snake linked to the goddess can be referrable to Cecrope; chtonian deity adorned in Athens, hypostasis of the sacred animal born from the ground. The snake is considered as the mythical hero and first king of Athens. The snake is Athena's sacred animal, with reference to the Winsdom, the Knowledge and the prophecies. The scene is inspired by a classical greek relief. Mirror polishing. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN GOLD DOUBLE SNAKES RING.

1st century B.C.

Int. diam. 19 mm; 7,82 gr

Composed of two coiling snakes, their heads turned out on either side, their bodies forming the hoop, at the centre a gold spherical dot. Incised details on the heads and the bodies. Wear marks.

For a similar typology see: F.H. Marshall, Catalogue of Finger Rings, n° 938

Provenance: From a private collection, France acquired on the art market in the early 2000s

A ROMAN GARNET INTAGLIO SET IN A LATER GOLD RING. NIKE.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

Stone 11x13 mm; Int. Size 16,5x17,5 mm; 5,25 gr

The winged Victory is facing left, holding a laurel wreath and a palm branch. Use of globular elements. A lovely deep red cabochon garnet set in a Victorian gold ring. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.S. private collection, acquired on the art market. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A FINE ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. EROS PRISONER.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

Stone 10x13 mm; in. Size 12x14 mm; 6,18 gr

Kindred type. Hoop round without and angular within, broadening upwards; the shoulders project strongly. The bezel set with a carnelian intaglio. Eros depicted in slight three-quarters with wide spread wings and a ribbon, tied to a column. Horizontal crack on the stone. Allegory of the prisoner of Love. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. HEAD OF APOLLO.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

Stone 9x12 mm; int. diam 15 mm; 4,44 gr

With rounded hoop boardering upwards onto an oval bezel set with an agate intaglio. Head of Apollo facing left. He is characterized by young features, curly locks ornated with a laurel wreath. Letters in the field. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A LARGE ROMAN ITALIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. OMPHALE.

2nd - 1st century B.C.

Stone 11x21 mm; int. diam 18 mm; 8,33 gr

With a massive rounded hoop surmounted by an elongated oval bezel set with a beautiful agate intaglio depicting Omphale. The female character is walking naked facing right. She wears on her shoulders Hercules lion skin and holds on a left shoulder his mace. Use of globular elements for anatomical details. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A FINE LATE ROMAN REPUBLICAN SARD INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. ATTIS WITH TWO SPEARS.

1st century B.C.

Stone diam. 15 mm; int. Size 18x20 mm; 5,35 gr

A male character advances to the right, walking on tiptoe. With his left hand he holds two spears, while bringing his right hand towards his face. He wears a cloak on his back and a Phrygian cap on his head, which is characterized by small curls. Use of globular elements. The subject is to be identified. The attributes may be referrable to Attis, while the pose and gait to a theater actor in the act of impersonating a mythological hero. Rare. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. THEATRICAL MASK.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

Stone 10x13 mm; int. size 17x18 mm; 3,92 gr

The hoop expanding upwards in two sections and surmounting an oval grooved box-setting with a two-layered agate intaglio. Frontal theatrical mask. The face characterized by strong features, a long beard and hair and bulging eyes engraved with a circular line. Interesting type. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

AN ITALIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN BICOLOR GOLD RING. POMEGRENATE.

2nd - 1st century B.C.

Stone 5,5x6,5 mm; int. diam 18 mm; 9,92 gr.

A stylized pomegrenate, depicted with a globular element and engraved details. Wear marks.

Provenance: European collection, acquired on the market, early 2000's.

AN ITALIC BANDED AGATE SCARAB INTAGLIO. HERCULES KILLING THE STYMPHALIAN BIRDS.

2nd century B.C.

Scarab 15 x 19 x 11 mm; 7,6 grs

With stylized design in the back, the flat is engraved with the mythical hero bowing at two birds of the Stymphalian lake. Groundline. Dotted frame. Edge slightly chipped. Nice mirror polishing and wear marks. The scarab pierced lenghtwise is mounted on a 19th century gold swivel seal with suspension hole.

P. Zazoff, Etruskische Skarabaen, n. 216 ss for the style and 278 for the subject.

Provenance: From the collection of an European gentleman, acquired on the art market

A LARGE ROMAN ITALIC BANDED AGATE INTAGLIO. ULYSSES ON THE BOAT.

2nd - 1st century B.C.

16 x 19 x 4 mm

Ulysses bond to the mast of his ship with a monster prow and aplustre, with five rowers and a steersman. Three Sirenes stand on the top sail. It depicts the scene from Homer's Odyssey in which Odysseus (Odysseus) resists the haunting song of the sirens by being tied up by the crew of his ship, while they are ordered to plug their ears so as not to hear them. The mythical scene is masterfully depicted here in a well composed and detailed manner. Large stone. Use of globular elements. Interesting use of the white band following the composition of the scene. Great subject. Wear marks.

For Parallels: J. Boardman, J. Kagan, C. Wagner, Natter's Museum Britannicum, p. 201 n. 478: L. P. B. Stefanelli, La Collezione Paoletti, vol.I, tomo II n. 97 ( carnelian intaglio, Berlin, Staatliche Museum, coll. Stosch, Furtwangler 1896 p. 255 n. 6880. Impronte Cades 31, III F, 22. Tassie 9550.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market, 1990s-2000s.

A LATE ITALIC BANDED AGATE INTAGLIO. WARRIOR.

2nd - 1st century B.C.

7 x 10 x 2 mm

Shown kneeled to the right with crested helmet and shield in the act of making a devotion (probably). Chip on the edge. Military votive scene. Wear marks.

Provenance: From the collection of an European gentleman, acquired on the art market

AN ITALIC AGATE INTAGLIO. RUDDER AND CLUB.

2nd century B.C.

8 x 9 x 1 mm

On the right the rudder, on the left the club. Use of globular elements. Wear marks.

Provenance: From the collection of an European gentleman, acquired on the art market

A ROMAN BANDED AGATE INTAGLIO. DIOSCURI EMBLEMA.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

15 x 19 x 3 mm

In the center a caduceus, on the sides two pileus caps with a star above them, referring to the Dioscuri. Beautiful emblema, elegant in composition and refined in execution. Use of globular elements. Fine variety of the stone. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired in the British art market.

AN ITALIC CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. OMPHALE WITH INSCRIPTION.

2nd - 1st century B.C.

10x14x3 mm

The female figure is standing left, naked and partially covered with Hercules lion skin. His mace behind her shoulders. In the field, an inscription in latin letters (to be identified). Wear marks.

Provenance: The Gustave Mustaki collection, exported from Egypt under licence c.1950 and gifted to Elsa MacLellan, his daughter, thence by descent.

A ROMAN BURNT AGATE INTAGLIO. FORTUNA TYCHE.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

7x13x2 mm

The standing goddess is facing right. She wears a modius and dressed with a peplos and an himation. On her right arm, she holds the cornucopia, and the rudder on her left hand. Groundline. Use of globular elements. Attractive color of the burnt stone.

Provenance: U.K private collection

A FINE ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO. APOLLO.

1st century B.C. - 1st century A.D.

9x14x7 mm

The deity leans against a column, with the body in three-quarters view and the head in profile to the right. With the left hand he is holding a laurel branch. Groundline. Slight wear marks.

Provenance: U.K private collection

AN ITALIC BANDED AGATE INTAGLIO. BIRD.

2nd - 1st century B.C.

8x11x2 mm

The bird is facing left, with a small worm in its beak. Globular elements. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K private collection