Lotto 313 | A fine neoclassic Poniatowski carnelian intaglio mounted on a gold ring. Achilles having killed Pilidorus, attacked by Hector.

Bertolami Fine Art - Riversdell Close 27, KT16 9JW Chertsey

A fine neoclassic Poniatowski carnelian intaglio mounted on a gold ring. Achilles having killed Pilidorus, attacked by Hector.

A fine neoclassic Poniatowski carnelian intaglio mounted on a gold ring. Achilles having killed Pilidorus, attacked by Hector.

19th century A.D.

Intaglio : 20 x 30 mm
Ring : 26 x 17 mm
7,89 g


The intense fighting scene refers to an episode of the Trojan War. The brave Achilles, after killing Polidoro by hitting him with his spear, is attacked by Hector, who faces him without fear. The bodies are naked, sculpted in their youthful beauty, with the muscles tense in combat. Only helmet and shield protect them; the rising drapery is purely ornamental, a neoclassical signature of this splendid stone, mounted in its original ring commissioned by the Polish prince for his legendary collection. The intaglio is signed with greek letters under the groundline: ΒΟΗΘΟΥ (Boethos). Very fine condition.

Parallels: Beazley Archive; Catalogue des pierres graves antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski ([1830?]-1833): V.168; Christie's, London: 1839-1159. G. Vangelli de Cresci, Ad Minima Ad Maxima. La raccolta di impronte e matrici di gemme incise e medaglie. Museo dell'Antica zecca di Lucca.

U.K private collection, London.