Gemstone Collection

A carved agate facing bust within a lapis lazuli plaque, held in a silver canatille frame comprising elaborate filigree foliage and with suspension loop; image of Pope Alexander VII. 500 grams, 28.5 cm



Private collection, England.

Pope Alexander VII was born Fabio Chigi and took the role of head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 7 April 1655 to his death, in May 1667. He held a number of diplomatic positions in the Holy See, was ordained in 1634, and became bishop of Nardo in 1635. Pope Innocent X elevated him to the role of secretary of state in 1651, and in the following year he was appointed a cardinal. Alexander VII supported various construction projects in Rome, wrote poetry and patronized artists working on the decoration of churches.

Comprising two designs in relief: three horses in an enclosure; two felines grappling with each other. 1.24 kg total, 9.4 x 10 - 9.5 x 10.4 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

The tile production increases in the second half of the sixteenth century and during the following centuries. The fragments discovered from various localities (pot-tiles, rectangular, triangular and trapezoidal panels, open-work crest tiles) were all produced in regional workshops, from the end of the 15th century or at the beginning of the 16th century. They all had diverse decorative motifs, mainly animals and geometrical or vegetal combinations, almost all of them singular finds for this study area.

Comprising a female bust, biga on a baseline, erotic scene, kneeling figure (abraded); each supplied with a museum-quality impression. 6.94 grams total, 11-19 mm



Private collection, England.