Small Wonders: Early Gems and Jewels
Small Wonders: Early Gems and Jewels
Italian, late 16th century | Cameo of Cleopatra
Lot Closed
July 15, 12:15 PM GMT
Estimate
18,000 - 25,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Italian, late 16th century
Cameo of Cleopatra
agate, with a modern pendant mount
carved in high relief, the reclining figure holding the snake aloft, an attendant beside, an equestrian figure in the background, contained in later gilt tooled red leather case
cameo: 32 by 38mm., 1 1/4 by 1 1/2 in;
38 by 45mm., 1 1/2 by 1 3/4 in. overall
This beautiful cameo is skillfully carved in low and high relief with Cleopatra's raised arm almost in the round. The coloured bands of the stone have been used to enhance the appearance of the clothing in particular to the slashed hose of the equestrian figure. The upper brownish layer of the stone emphasizes the snake, the helmet and the headdress. Whilst two of the figures are in classical garb, the third, the equestrian figured is very much in 16th century clothing.
The figure of the reclining woman is inspired by the classical statue of the sleeping Ariadne in the Vatican which in the 16th century was considered to be a figure of Cleopatra. A variant of the present cameo can be found in the Museo degli Argenti in Florence, (Inv. Gemme, del 1921, no 36; op. cit., no. 57).
RELATED LITERATURE
R. Gennaioli, Le gemme dei Medici al Museo degli Argenti, Cammei e Intagli nelle collezioni di Palazzo Pitti, Florence, 2007, p. 177, no. 57
The figure of the reclining woman is inspired by the classical statue of the sleeping Ariadne in the Vatican which in the 16th century was considered to be a figure of Cleopatra. A variant of the present cameo can be found in the Museo degli Argenti in Florence, (Inv. Gemme, del 1921, no 36; op. cit., no. 57).
RELATED LITERATURE
R. Gennaioli, Le gemme dei Medici al Museo degli Argenti, Cammei e Intagli nelle collezioni di Palazzo Pitti, Florence, 2007, p. 177, no. 57