A rare 18k gold collier with Classical intaglios
Designed as a strand of graduated Ancient and early modern intaglios (1st C. A.D. - 18th C.) in a fine archaeological revival collier setting. L 39 cm. Weight 47 g.
Presumably ca. 1860/70.
The present work is a rare and finely wrought example of the second wave of 19th century Neoclassicism. In contrast to the initial wave of sentimental classicism during the Napoleonic era, this phase was characterised by its intellectual ambition, using authentic classical pieces to attract collectors and an archaeologically interested public.
Set with: Chalcedony, Mercury, 1st c. AD / carnelian, portrait of a woman with an inscription, 2nd c. AD / amethyst, Zeus, 18th c. / lapis lazuli, Asclepius, 2nd - 3rd c. AD / carnelian, Diomedes with Palladion, Spes, 3rd c. AD / layered agate, fisher, 3rd c. AD / heliotrope, Helios, 3rd c. AD / carnelian, boots(?), ancient Roman / carnelian, griffon with a wheel, 1st - 2nd c. AD / carnelian, Eros with the weapons of Mars, 1st - 2nd c. AD / sard, Mercury, ancient Roman or early modern / green glass paste, Venus and Cupid, 2nd - 1st c. BC / brown carnelian, male head, 17th - 18th c. / amethyst, Dionysus riding on a goat with a cockerel, 1st c. AD / plasma, female head, 17th - 18th c. / carnelian, Apollo on a column, 1st c. BC / hyacinth, monogram, Merovingian / carnelian, Asclepius, 3rd c. AD / carnelian, Fortuna, Tyche, and Salus, 2nd c. AD / carnelian, male head, 18th c. / garnet, Zeus, Serapis, 1st c. BC / layered agate, lion, 3rd c. AD / layered agate, mask of Silenus, 1st - 2nd c. AD / garnet, female head, late antique/Sassanian.