ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. PORTRAIT OF JULIA TITI.

1st century A.D.

12x15x3 mm

Bust portrait of Julia Titi (63-91 A.D.), daughter of the Roman emperor Titus. The princess is facing left and is characterized by her typically elaborated hair. The bust is tunicated. Missing on the edge and chips. Wear marks.

Medailles et antiques.bnf database: inv. inv.58.2089; Vollenweider, M.-L.., Avisseau-Broustet, Mathilde. Camées et intailles, II, Les portraits romains du Cabinet des Médailles. Paris : Bibliothèque nationale de France, 2003, p.128-129, n°145.
Le trésor de Saint-Denis [cat.exp.]. Paris : RMN, 1991, p.92-98; 50;199; 348, n°13 D. Gaborit-Chopin.
Chéron, Elisabeth-Sophie. Pierres antiques gravées tirées des principaux cabinets de la France. Paris : 1709, pl. XXXIX, Julie, fille de Tite. Aigue-marine du trésor de Saint-Denis

Provenance: Formerly in the D.C. collection, London ; acquired by an international french collector from the above in the early 2000s.

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. DRAPED PORTRAIT OF A YOUTH.

1st century A.D.

12x17x3 mm

Facing left with the typical julio-claudian features; short hair framing the face, long thin nose, small chip. Presence of globular elements. Beautiful colour of the stone. Wear marks.

Provenance: Ex Sangiorgi collection, acquired in the late 19th-early 20th century ; Ex Christie's NY, 06/12/2007, lot 322. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A FINE ROMAN GARNET INTAGLIO. MALE PORTRAIT.

Early 1st century A.D.

17x19x3 mm

Private portrait of a Roman character from the late Republican age. The effigy faces left and is engraved with great skill. The man is characterized by features of mature age, with a partially bald skull, a pronounced nose, slightly open mouth, pronounced cheekbone; the bust is draped. The subject refers to the time of Julius Caesar and recalls characters such as Cicero, Maecenas and also the dictator Silla. Large stone, characterized by a splendid dark amber color. Wear marks.

For a similar portrait and style: M-L. Vollenweider, Camees et intailles. Les portraits romains du Cabinet des medailles, Tome II n. 2, 13, 15. M-L. Vollenweider, Die portratgemmen der romischen Republik, taf. 58, 64 ss. For a similar portrait using the samew type of stone, see G.M.A. Richter, Catalogue of the engraved gems (MET), p. 104 n. 474.

Provenance: U.K. private, acquired on the art market 1980s-1990s

A FINE ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. IMPERIAL BUST PORTRAIT OF A MATRONA.

1st century A.D.

8 x 10 x 2 mm

Facing right, her face characterized by young features, her long hair tied behind and adorned with a large braided lock. The iconography is referable to the Julio Claudian - Flavian models, as the Antonia's portraits. Chip on the back of the stone. Fine details for the very small size of the stone.

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

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. PORTRAIT OF AN EMPEROR.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

11x13x3 mm

The effigy is laureated and facing right. Probably a provincial portrait of the young emperor Nero. The head is not aligned with the oval of the gem. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K private collection

A ROMAN GOLD RING. BEARDED MALE PORTRAIT.

2nd century A.D.

Bezel 14x19 mm; int. Size 17x18 mm; 23,86 gr

With rounded hoop, flatten within expanding upwards and ending with an oval engraved bezel; the bearded male portrait facing right features Antoninus Pius (86-161). Wear marks. Roman emperor from A.D. 138 to 161. Mild-mannered and capable, he was the fourth of the “five good emperors” who guided the empire through an 84-year period (96–180) of internal peace and prosperity. His family originated in Gaul, and his father and grandfathers had all been consuls.

Provenance: This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A ROMAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO. BUST OF A BEARDED MAN.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

12x16x2 mm

Facing left and characterized by short hair, beard and moustache. The fronthead wrinkled, long arched eyebrow, lided eye and semi-opened mouth. The bust draped. Traces of patina and wear marks.

Provenance: Ex Sangiorgi collection, acquired in the late 19th-early 20th century ; Ex Christie's NY, 06/12/2007, lot 322. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

AN EASTERN ROMAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO. PORTRAIT OF A MATRONA.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

11x14x2 mm

The portrait is facing left showing a very detailed hairstyle "melonenfrisur" with flattened braids rising at the back of the head.Traces of deposits and slight wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A LATE IMPERIAL ROMAN GARNET INTAGLIO. BUST OF AN EMPRESS.

4th century A.D.

13x17x2 mm

The portrait is facing left. She is characterized by elaborate hair, with a group of braids that goes down the nape of the neck going up to the ear; the other hair is pulled back and held by a diadem with pearls. The woman wears double pearl earrings and a precious pearl necklace. The bust is tunicated. The profile shows a straight and prominent nose, a small mouth, a small and rounded chin, a large eye. The anatomical details of the face and hair are certainly referable to a portrait of an empress of the late Roman period. The technical execution is very refined. The portrait is executed with great art, worthy of a commission from the imperial family. Even the choice of stone, a splendid, very thin garnet, with a concave back, can be attributed to a top-level atelier. Wear marks. The portrait approaches the effigies of Theodora. The empress Flavia Maximiana Theodora (c. 275 – before 337) had been married to the emperor Constantius I ‘Chlorus’ (A.D. 305-306). Her coin portraits become more elaborate over time, with the bust adorned with a necklace and a more elaborate hairstyle. A certain resemblance is also recognizable with the portraits of Fausta, the ill-fated wife of Constantine I 'the Great' (A.D. 307-337), and of Flavia Julia Helena Augusta (c. AD 246/248– c. 330) mother of Emperor Constantine the Great.

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired on the british art market.

A LATE ROMAN NICOLO INTAGLIO SET IN A OPENWORK GOLD RING. MALE PORTRAIT WITH INITIALS.

Late 3rd- Early 4th century A.D.

Stone 13x17 mm; int. Size 17,5x22 mm; 14,69 gr.

With large hoop with elaborated openwork shoulders with floral and volutes patterns extanding on an oval bezel set with a nicolo intaglio depicting a male bust. The effigy is facing left with draped bust. The portrait is characterized by physionomical and anatomical details typical of Constantine era. The subject is possibly referable to a prince portrait. The four letters surrounding the portrait can be linked to his identity (to be identified). Very good overall condition, slight wear marks and deposits.

For a similar portrait see: J.SPIER, Late Antique and Early Christian Gems, n°15,16,22.

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired on the art market.

A LATE ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. EAGLE HOLDING A LAUREL WREATH. 

3rd century A.D.

Stone 10x12 mm; 7,92 gr; int. diam 18 mm

The rounded hoop with two twisted gold wires separated by a central platted wire. The shoulders ending with a small spherical bead are surmounted by a high raised bezel composed of two box-settings and set in the center of a carnelian intaglio. The scene depicts an eagle with laurel wreath in its beak. Signs of use on the surface of the stone. 

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. EAGLE.

2nd century A.D.

Stone 7x9,5 mm; int. Size 18,5x19 mm; 1,50 gr.

A flying eagle lands on a tree branch. Chips on the edge. Wear marks.

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

A ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A GREEN CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO.EAGLE BETWEEN MILITARY STANDARDS.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

Stone 8x11 mm; int. Size 17x19 mm; 11,10 gr

With rounded hoop expanding upward onto an oval bezel set with an intaglio. In the center a imperial eagle holding a laurel wreath in its beak between two military Insignia. Palm branch. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. LEDA ON THE SWAN.

2nd century A.D.

Stone diam 11 mm; int size 18,5x17 mm; 5,09 gr.

The female figure is seated above the swan flying to the left, probably an allegory of Leda and the metamorphosis of Zeus. Wear marks.

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

A ROMAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. HUNTING SCENE.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

Stone 8x13 mm; int. Size 18x19 mm; 6,48 gr.

Hunting scene consisting of a dog chasing a hare with its puppy. Wear marks. The gemstone is set in a bezel with an intertwined frame on the edge and stylized revolving patterns on the case.

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

A ROMAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO SET IN A MODERN GOLD RING. A DOG.

1st-2nd century A.D.

Stone 5x7 mm; int. diam 19 mm; 3,38 gr.

A dog faces right but lifts its head back, toward the sun (or a full moon). Groundline.

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

A ROMAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. EROS ON A CHARIOT PULLED BY TWO SHRIMPS.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

Stone 10x14 mm; int. Size 17,5 x 19 mm; 7,60 gr.

Eros drives a small chariot pulled by two crustaceans, holding up a palm branch as a sign of victory. Small lack on the edge (with gold integration) and wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. SHRIMP.

1st century A.D.

Stone 11x12,5 mm; int. Size 15x17 mm; 2,84

With rounded hoop surmounted by an oval box-setting set with an agate intaglio. Shrimp facing left; beneath a stylized shell.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN OPENWORKED GOLD RING WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. ANT.

3rd century A.D.

Stone 5x7 mm; int. Size 12x14 mm; 2,34 gr

Hoop composed of a wavy wire, bordered on either side by a plain and beaded wire. To the end is soldered a high box-setting with globules and set with a carnelian intaglio; ant. Wear marks, slight damages on the box setting.

For a similar typology see: F.H. Marshall, Finger Rings, n.558

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

A LATE ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A GARNET INTAGLIO. GRASSHOPPER FACING LEFT. 

3rd-4th century A.D.

Stone 9x11 mm; 6,66 gr; int. size 19x20 mm

Gold finger-ring; hoop composed of beaded wires saldered together; at the shoulders, they branch out; the spaces thus left are filled with wire spirals; the bezel is in the form of an oval box-setting containing a garnet intaglio depicting a grasshopper facing left. Wear marks.

For a similar typology see: British Museum, inv. 1917,0501.653

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN GOLD RING WITH A NICOLO INTAGLIO. RABBIT ON A BASKET.

2nd century A.D.

Stone 11x13 mm; int. size 13x17 mm; 4,92 gr

With rounded hoop (damaged) expanding upwards and surmounting by a large oval box-setting containing a nicolo intaglio; rabbit facing left on a rooped basket with a carrot. Wear marks.

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

A ROMAN GOLD RING WITH A CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. A FIGURE RIDING A BULL.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

Stone 10x14 mm; int. size 11x15 mm; 3,80 gr

With rounded hoop, flatten within and expanding upwards on the squared shoulders surmounted by a box-setting containing a carnelian intaglio; a draped goddess riding an bull toward right. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired from D.C. collection, London.

A ROMAN GOLD RING SET WITH A JASPER INTAGLIO. GOAT UNDER A TREE.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

Stone 8x12 mm; int. Size 18x19 mm; 9,94 gr.

With rounded hoop, flatten within expanding in wider shoulders forming three rounded scales, ending in a large oval scaled box setting with a jasper intaglio showing a harving scene, with two flying erotes in a tree. On the ground, a goat facing left eating ear of corns. Groundline. Wear marks and signs of use. Good overall condition.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO SET IN A GEORGIAN GOLD RING. PEGASUS.

2nd century A.D.

Stone 7,5x10 mm; int. Size 17x19 mm; 5,28 gr

Hoop rounded without and flatten within, expanding upwards with shoulders forming volutes and ornated with a globular element. The large oval box setting is set with a high raised layered agate intaglio. Pegasus facing left. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection