A fine neoclassical bull's eye agate intaglio. The abduction of Europa.

19th century

18 x 23 x 6 mm.

The scene depicts the famous mythical episode in which Zeus in the guise of a bull kidnaps Europa, crossing the sea waves. Intaglio engraved with great technical skill, considering the convex surface of the stone. Very thin internal crack. Close to the Berini's manner. Parallel: This is very close to another gem (engraved by Antonio Berini [1770-1861]), illustrated by Georg Lippold (Gemmen und Kameen des Altertums und der Neuzeit, Stuttgart s.d. [1922], pl. CXLIII-9). Its style is more free than that of the gem by Berini (Lucia Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, La Collezione Paoletti. Stampi in vetro per impronte di intaglio e cammei, vol. II, Roma 2012, p. 291, no. VIII-98; p. 312 n. VIII-389; p. 316 n. VIII-452). The type was also treated by Brown (see Julia O. Kagan, Reznye kamni Vil'yama i Charlza Braunov, St. Petersburg 1976, p. 23, no. 3).

Provenance: UK private collection.

Estimate: GBP 1500 - 2000