LOT 0333

Late Renaissance Double-Sided Heliotrope Cameo of Christ and the Virgin in Gold Ring

ITALY, 17TH CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (15.59 grams, 25.53 mm overall, 16.26 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)).

Comprising a dark green oval cameo with bright red flecks, on the upper side, a veiled head of Mary with a solemn expression, the underside featuring a classical depiction of bearded Jesus with long hair and wearing a draped garment; set in a substantial gold ring with a wide hoop.

Acquired on the European art market.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13390-257998.

Cf. the cameo follows a known model which is seen in a number of double-sided cameos found in the Museo degli Argenti, Palazzo Pitti, published in R. Gennaioli, Le gemme dei Medici al Museo degli Argenti: Cammei e Intagli nelle collezioni di Palazzo Pitti, Florence, 2007, pp. 337-338, nos. 437-439; a lapis lazuli cameo of the Virgin in the catalogue of The Marlborough Gems, by John Boardman, fig. 383; for further examples, see The British Museum, London, museum no.1867,0507.732, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession numbers 1982.60.393 and 39.22.6, and the Hermitage Museum, inventory number: К-649.

It was believed that the scarlet flecks in the stone were the blood of Christ, hence its popular use for the subject of Christ throughout the Middle Ages until the 19th century.