A fine amethyst neoclassical intaglio set in a gold brooch. Apollo playing lyra.

First half of 19th century.

Stone 22 x 27 mm; mounting 26 x 30 mm; 7,53 gr.

Apollo is standing, his body naked; his shoulders draped with a cloak. The face is turned in three quarters to the left while the body is slightly twisted to the right. It stands next to an altar / column with the tripod. With his left hand he holds the lyre, while with his right hand he caresses the tripod, perhaps as an allusion to his poetic and artistic superiority, certainly victorious. The intaglio is engraved on a beautiful amethyst of pure and luminous color, slightly convex. Although there are some variations, the model of inspiration must be identified with the splendid amethyst engraved with the same subject, preserved in Paris, Cabinet des Medailles. M.L. Vollenweider identifies it as a representation of Nero as Apollo, at the time when he had five-year celebrations, the Neronia, set up, with music and poetic competitions. A series of coins also represents Nero Citherede. Parallel: "Cabinet des Médailles BNF- Database: inv. DdL.1625; MR.86 (Louvre) ; reg.Y.22320; Cfr. Vollenweider, M.-L.., Avisseau-Broustet, Mathilde. Camées et intailles, II, Les portraits romains du Cabinet des Médailles. Paris : Bibliothèque nationale de France, 2003, p.114-115, n°128. Le trésor de Saint-Denis [cat.exp.]. Paris : RMN, 1991, p.288-289, n°63 D. Gaborit-Chopin et M.L. Vollenweider. Montfaucon, B.. L'antiquité expliquée et représentée en figures. Paris : entre 1719 et 1724, t.I, pl.XLIX, n°3."

Provenance: UK private collection.

Estimate: GBP 3000 - 4000