Lot 190
190
A EUROPEAN GARNET RINGSTONE WITH THE HEAD OF SILENUS
A EUROPEAN GARNET RINGSTONE WITH THE HEAD OF SILENUS
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PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF DR. CORINNE BRONFMAN
A EUROPEAN GARNET RINGSTONE WITH THE HEAD OF SILENUS

CIRCA 18TH CENTURY

Details
A EUROPEAN GARNET RINGSTONE WITH THE HEAD OF SILENUS
CIRCA 18TH CENTURY
9/16 in. (1.2 cm.) long; ring size 8
Provenance
M.H. Nevil Story-Maskelyne (1823-1911), Wroughton, Wiltshire, acquired 1860-1899; thence by descent to his son-in-law, William Arnold-Forster (1886-1951), Cornwall.
Catalogue of the Story-Maskelyne Collection of Ancient Gems, the Property of W.E. Arnold Forster, Esq., Sotheby's, London, 4-5 July 1921, lot 143 (part).
Landsberg, acquired from the above (according to auctioneer's book).
Marjorie Bronfman (1917-2012), Montreal, acquired by 1978; gifted to her daughter, Dr. Corinne Bronfman (1947-2022), Washington, D.C.; thence by descent to the current owner.

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Lot Essay

Engraved on this garnet is the profile head of a balding, bearded Silenus, wearing a wreath of ivy and berries. It is mounted as a ring in a late 18th century gold setting with an octagonal bezel, grooved on its outer edge. This type is thought to be associated with William Beckford of Somerley, who travelled in Italy in 1770-1771 (see p. 27 in T. Heneage, “Beckford’s Collection of Engraved Gems: Evidence and Hearsay,” The Beckford Journal, vol. 22, 2022).

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