Ancient-Jewellery |
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Code: 10691
This is a wonderful Georgian classical intaglio, dating to the 18th or early 19th century. It is molded from a deep purple amethyst glass, with a lively scene of the Gods. In this scene we can see Vulcan at his forge, forming a pair of wings for Eros (Cupid) lead by his mother Aphrodite (Venus), behind her stands Aries (Mars) and Hermes (Mercury). Such an intaglio would have once been set into a pendant, the original intention to be gifted as an amorous token. The act of Vulcan forming the wings of Eros was purely a Renaissance artistic invention, another image representing "amor vincit omnia". Thus the original inspiration would have been from an engraving or plaque of 16th - 17th-century date, rather than an ancient Roman or Greek original. This object is in excellent antique condition.
OBJECT: Intaglio
CULTURE: Georgian
DATE: c. 18th - 19th century
MATERIAL: Amethyst Glass
SIZE: 34mm x 28mm x 5mm
WEIGHT: 9.9 grams
PROVENANCE: Ex. European Collection, France.