Roman Agate Cameo of the Emperor Augustus

1ST CENTURY A.D.

2 in. (99 grams total, pendant: 50 mm).

Ellipsoid cameo with profile portrait bust in antique gold pendant frame with surrounding cabochons: emerald, sapphire, ruby - and clusters of pearls; marked to reverse '750', in a rectangle 'Bd G' (believed to be an upstate New York jeweller's stamp) and an indeterminate third mark; supplied with a custom-made display stand.

Provenance

American collection, early 20th century, New York.
with Robert Haber Gallery, New York, 1990.
Ex Jean Clostre, Geneva, Switzerland.

Accompanied by a scholarly report by Dr Ittai Gradel.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12223-222312.

Literature

Cf. Vollenweider, M. L., and Avisseau Broustet, M., Camées et intailles. Les Portraits Romains du Cabinet des médailles,
1995, no.52; and Megow, W. R., Kameen von Augustus bis Alexander Severus, 1987, no.A19.

Footnotes

Dr Ittai Gradel says: 'The cameo, of exquisite technical quality, has a close parallel in the Cabinet des médailles, Paris .. The TimeLine auction cameo is not, however, an exact copy .. though details are so close to the larger Paris cameo that the same gem carver, or at least workshop, probably produced both.'

CONDITION

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LOT 0139