A fine renaissance agate cameo. Sacrifice scene.

16th century

16 x 23 x 4 mm

The scene is composed of two male characters in front of a small votive altar. On the left, a naked male figure, sitting on the rocks covered by a drapery; with his left hand he holds a stick pointed towards the ground, with his right hand he holds a drapery. His legs are spread starting from the knee while the head is facing down towards the altar. On top of it, decorated with a small garland after the ancient roman prototypes, a goat’s head. The other naked male figure wears a cloak on the shoulders. The right arm raised toward his head turned left, in the opposite direction from the scene; with the left hand he holds a flap of the cloak. Groundline. Probably inspired by a mythological episode, the detailed scene is well composed with balance and elegance. The fine anatomical details are engraved with skill and the characters’ poses can be easily related to Renaissance models.

European private collection 80's

Estimate: GBP 1000 - 2000