Bertolami Fine Art, 1 Harewood Place, Mayfair (London W1S 1BU- United Kingdom), o 14 Hanover Square, Mayfair, (London, W1S 1HP - United Kingdom)., Italy
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Wednesday dec 9 2020, 2 pm GMT (3 pm CEST)
Bertolami Fine Art, 1 Harewood Place, Mayfair (London W1S 1BU- United Kingdom), or 14 Hanover Square, Mayfair, (London, W1S 1HP - United Kingdom)
The auction has ended
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LOT 188:
A roman sapphire intaglio. Bust of male ruler.
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Sold for: £1,900
Start price:
£
1,200
Estimated price :
€1,500 - €3,000
Buyer's Premium: 25%
More details
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A roman sapphire intaglio. Bust of male ruler.
End of 1st century B.C.
6 x 8 x 3 mm
The portrait is facing right. The nose and part of the mouth are missing due to the breaking of the stone. However, the physiognomic features are well evident, such as the protruding cheekbone and the spherical chin, the folds on the cheek, the marked orbital arch, the musculature of the neck and above all the typical hair with overlapping strands with a characteristic raised tuft of hair on the front. These anatomical details, referable to the late republican iconography, make it probable that this effigy is identified with Pompey the Great, or a similar and coeval private portrait. The stone was later shaped on the back with facets, probably in the Renaissance period. However, the front side has retained its ancient wear marks. Rare.
Parallels : M. L. vollenweider, Die Portratgemmen der romischen Republik, 1972, pl. 71-75.
U.K private collection
