Lotto 431 | A CISELED GOLD BOX SET WITH A LARGE TWO-LAYERED AGATE CAMEO ON THE LID. THE WEDDING OF CUPID & PSYCHE.

Bertolami Fine Art - Piazza Lovatelli 1, 00186 Roma

A CISELED GOLD BOX SET WITH A LARGE TWO-LAYERED AGATE CAMEO ON THE LID. THE WEDDING OF CUPID & PSYCHE.

A CISELED GOLD BOX SET WITH A LARGE TWO-LAYERED AGATE CAMEO ON THE LID. THE WEDDING OF CUPID & PSYCHE.

19th century

45x79xH 26 mm; 97,20 gr

Yamsk jasper cameo snuff box depicting the famous scene of the Wedding of Cupid and Psyche mounted in a gold snuff box attributed to the Yekaterinburg Lapidary (circa 1820-1830). Likely an imperial presentation snuff box or diplomatic gift from the imperial cabinet. The snuff box lid corresponds to a yamsk Jasper in the Hermitage Museum (inv. no. K-5720) which entered in the collection circa 1826 during the reign of Czar Nicholas I while the Imperial Lapidary was under the management of Yakov Vasilievich Kokovin. The cameo scene is after an ancient onyx cameo by the gem engraver Tryphon formerly in the collection of P.P. Rubens (Boston, Museum of Fine arts). Presence of the mark ET on the metal frame of the box, probably for ETRANGERE, so imported trough the custom in France. Very good condition. Minor missing on the stone and wear marks.

Provenance: Russian Imperial Cabinet, presumably as a diplomatic gift or presentation snuff box. Christie's, Geneva, November 19, 1980, Lot 302;Christie's, London, Opulence: Silver, Gold Boxes, 19th Century Furniture & Works of Art,
November 29, 2016, Lot 78. U.S. private collection, acquired on the art market.This lot is sold under temporary import status.