French, early 17th century and later
Head of a Roman Matron
Lot Closed
July 5, 03:19 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
French, early 17th century and later
Head of a Roman Matron
hessonite garnet, with a pendant mount set with rose cut diamonds
23.6mm., 0.93in. overall
The full frontal head with exaggerated hair and drilled eyes can be compared with the cameo of a Bacchante in the Munzsammlung in Munich, (op. cit. cat. no. 127) where it is ascribed to a French workshop of the early 17th century. The head was mounted in the 19th century as the head of a stick pin. Compare with the gem published by Wartski (op. cit., p. 153, fig. 86) which more recently has been attached with a pendant loop for suspension.
RELATED LITERATURE
A collection of engraved gems Multum in Parvo, exh. cat., Wartski, London, 2019; I. Weber, Geschnittene Steine aus altbayerischen Besitz, Staatlichen Munzsammlung Munchen, Munich, 2001
