View full screen - View 1 of Lot 30. British or Italian, 18th century | Seal with Minerva, surmounted with a hardstone carving of a possibly 17th-century monkey.
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British or Italian, 18th century | Seal with Minerva, surmounted with a hardstone carving of a possibly 17th-century monkey

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British or Italian, 18th century | Seal with Minerva, surmounted with a hardstone carving of a possibly 17th-century monkey

British or Italian, 18th century | Seal with Minerva, surmounted with a hardstone carving of a possibly 17th-century monkey

British or Italian, 18th century

Seal with Minerva, surmounted with a hardstone carving of a possibly 17th-century monkey


citrine and hardstone, within a seal mount with suspension hoop, set with diamonds

height: 49.1mm., 1.93in. overall

intaglio: 27.2mm., 1.07in.

Overall in very good condition with minor surface wear and dirt consistent with age. There are a few minor nicks and scratches to the stone. There is a scratch or natural inclusion below Minerva's nose. There are minor abrasions and residues to the hardstone monkey. Minor nicks and scratches to the mount.


The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.

This fascinating little object combines a carved hardstone figure of a monkey with a beautiful citrine intaglio with Minerva. A number of jewels mounted with monkeys are recorded in the 17th century, including a chrysoberyl monkey, dating to the early 17th century, which was found in the Cheapside Hoard Jewels (Forsyth, op. cit.). Another chrysoberyl monkey cameo dating to circa 1740 was sold in these rooms on 10 July 2014, lot 129. According to Hazel Forsyth, monkeys were said to be a creature full of 'plaguy tricks' and human vices (op. cit.). It is probable that the present figure of a monkey predates the setting and may date as early as the 17th century. The intaglio with Minerva is stylistically reminiscent of another with Alexander signed by Edward Burch (1730-1814), sold in these rooms on 9 July 2015, lot 116.

RELATED LITERATURE
H. Forsyth, The Cheapside Hoard. London's Lost Jewels, London, 2013, p. 181