Lot 70
  • 70

ITALIAN, EARLY 17TH CENTURY | Cameo with a Roman Imperial Prince, called the Young Nero

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description

  • Cameo with a Roman Imperial Prince, called the Young Nero
  • chalcedony, set in a partially enamelled gold ring mount
  • cameo: 12.5mm., 4/8 in.ring size: K

Provenance

Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel (1585-1646) by circa 1638;
by descent to his grandson Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk (1628-1684);
thence to his brother Henry Howard, 7th Duke of Norfolk (1655-1701);
Henry Mordaunt, 2nd Earl of Peterborough (1621-1697), by October 1690;
by descent to Lady Mary Mordaunt (divorced wife of Henry Howard 7th Duke of Norfolk);
by whom bequeathed to her second husband Sir John Germain (1650-1718), 1710;
by whom bequeathed to his second wife Lady Elizabeth Germain (1680-1769), Knole House, Kent;
by whom bequeathed to the Hon. Mary Beauclerk on the occasion of her marriage to Lord Charles Spencer (1740-1820), 1762;
by whom bequeathed to George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739-1817), Blenheim Palace Oxfordshire; 
thence by family descent to John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough (1822-1883), Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire;
David Bromilow, Bitteswell Hall, Lutterworth, until 1898;
by descent to Julia Harriet Mary Jary (née Bromilow);
Christie, Manson and Woods London, Catalogue of the Marlborough Gems: Being a Collection of Works in Cameo and Intaglio Formed by George, 3rd Duke of Marlborough, 27 June 1899, lot 514

Literature

M. H. Nevil Story-Maskelyne, The Marlborough Gems, Oxford, 1870, no. 514;
J. Boardman, D. Scarisbrick, C. Wagner and E. Zwierlein-Diehl, The Marlborough Gems formerly at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, Oxford, 2009, no. 220

Condition

Overall the condition of the intaglio is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are a few very minor chips and surface abrasions including a chip to the edge below the chin. There are losses to the black enamelling of the ring mount. Minor wear and minor abrasions otherwise to the ring mount.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.