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Details
AN 18TH CENTURY CORNELIAN INTAGLIO FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF PRINCE STANISLAS PONIATOWSKI (1754-1833)
The oval intaglio engraved as the profile head of Byzas (founder of Byzantium) wearing helmet, facing to the right, signed in Greek, BYZAS, in early 19th century gold swivel reeded ring mount
Finger size - K
The oval intaglio engraved as the profile head of Byzas (founder of Byzantium) wearing helmet, facing to the right, signed in Greek, BYZAS, in early 19th century gold swivel reeded ring mount
Finger size - K
Provenance
Christie's sale, London, April 29 - May 21, 1839, Lot 707
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Further details
Cf. Catalogue des Pierres Gravées Antiques de S.A. Prince Stanislas Poniatowski: classe VIII no. 50
Prince Stanislas Poniatowski commissioned about 2500 engraved gems. The majority of gems were produced by engravers in Rome who took their inspiration from the great Classical writers including Homer, Virgil and Ovid as opposed to ancient Classical representations which had inspired other Neo-Classical art.
Poniatowski published a summary catalogue of his gems in 1830, with more elaborate descriptions following in 1833. After his death his collection was offered at a Christie's auction in 1839. One John Tyrell purchased over 1500 Poniatowski gems convinced they were genuinely ancient. He commissioned a number of sets of plaster impressions and in 1841 published an explanatory catalogue.
Prince Stanislas Poniatowski commissioned about 2500 engraved gems. The majority of gems were produced by engravers in Rome who took their inspiration from the great Classical writers including Homer, Virgil and Ovid as opposed to ancient Classical representations which had inspired other Neo-Classical art.
Poniatowski published a summary catalogue of his gems in 1830, with more elaborate descriptions following in 1833. After his death his collection was offered at a Christie's auction in 1839. One John Tyrell purchased over 1500 Poniatowski gems convinced they were genuinely ancient. He commissioned a number of sets of plaster impressions and in 1841 published an explanatory catalogue.