Medusa Cameo 16th c. Intaglio: late 18th c. Mount late 18th c.
Cameo: grey and white onyx; Intaglio: sard; open gold collet mount with wire ornament and knop below, suspension loop and two rings | 2.5 x 2.2 cm (cameo) | RCIN 65761
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Obverse: cameo head of Medusa, sea nymph and most beautiful of the three Gorgon sisters, with wings and snakes in her hair, in three-quarter profile to the right.
Reverse: intaglio head of Medusa, with wings in her hair and a snake around her neck, in profile to the right.
The cameo with three-quarter view belongs to a 16th century type based on ancient prototypes. The intaglio is very different in treatment and style. The manner of rendering the head is extremely fine and classical. This suggests a date in the late 18th century and possibly an English provenance, the same period as the mount.
Text adapted from Ancient and Modern Gems and Jewels in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen, London, 2008Provenance
First recorded in the Royal Collection in 1872.
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Creator(s)
(nationality) -
Medium and techniques
Cameo: grey and white onyx; Intaglio: sard; open gold collet mount with wire ornament and knop below, suspension loop and two rings
Measurements
2.5 x 2.2 cm (cameo)
Place of Production
Italy