The Property of
A GENTLEMAN
An important papal presentation ring with portrait of Pius VII
Details
An important papal presentation ring with portrait of Pius VII
The swivelling bezel with sardonyx profile of the Pope in rose-cut diamond skull-cap, inscribed 'Pius VII' on the border of his chasuble, in outer rose-cut diamond border, the reverse pavé-set in rose-cut diamonds with the Chiaramonti arms including three small armorial onyx blackamoor heads and the word 'Pax', with slender rose-cut diamond hoop (four diamonds missing to hoop), circa 1800, finger size U, in shagreen ring case
The swivelling bezel with sardonyx profile of the Pope in rose-cut diamond skull-cap, inscribed 'Pius VII' on the border of his chasuble, in outer rose-cut diamond border, the reverse pavé-set in rose-cut diamonds with the Chiaramonti arms including three small armorial onyx blackamoor heads and the word 'Pax', with slender rose-cut diamond hoop (four diamonds missing to hoop), circa 1800, finger size U, in shagreen ring case
Provenance
Recent research suggests the recipient is likely to have been Prince Nikolai Borisovich Yusupov Senior (1750-1831), Catherine II's envoy who travelled extensively in Europe buying works of art for the Empress including a famous collection of cameos. The Central Archives in Moscow hold a letter from Catherine II to Nikolai Yusupov in which she writes '....I received the beautiful cameos you had sent me from Italy'. It is also known that Nikolai Yusupov was responsible for obtaining Pius VI's permission for Raphael's loggia in the Vatican to be copied for the old Hermitage. (We are very grateful to the Yusupovsky Palace for their help in compiling this catalogue entry).
Pius VII, Gregorio Barnaba Chiaramonti (1742-1823) created Pope on 14 March, 1800. For a similar ring cf. Christie's 4 October, 1989 lot 414
Pius VII, Gregorio Barnaba Chiaramonti (1742-1823) created Pope on 14 March, 1800. For a similar ring cf. Christie's 4 October, 1989 lot 414