Classical revival gold necklace with Roman hardstone intaglios and cameos.

A Classical revival gold necklace set with twenty Roman hardstone intaglios and cameos.

The necklace dates to the mid 19th century, the intaglios and cameos date to the 1st - 3rd century AD.

The high carat gold necklace is composed of a patchwork of rub-over set ancient gems separated by vari-coloured links in the form of coiled serpents, each bearing three flowers.??The necklace measures 51cm in length.

The smallest stone measures 0.7 x 0.6cm and the largest stone measures 2.2 x 1.5cm.

The necklace weighs 45.4 grams.

The gems depict (counter clockwise);

1. Amethyst intaglio : eagle and man,
2. Carnelian intaglio: crab,
3. Three-layered agate intaglio: portrait of Serapis,
4. Carnelian intaglio: Gryllos,
5. Carnelian intaglio Fortuna-Tyche,
6. Carnelian intaglio: Athena,
7. Three-layered agate intaglio: sea-goat with stars,
8. Carnelian intaglio: Fortuna-Tyche encrowned by Mercury,
9. Nicolo intaglio: double portrait of Isis and Serapis,
10. Heliotrope intaglio: mummiformed Osiris,
11. Three-layered cameo: Osiris canopic jar (crown missing),
12. Two-layered agate cameo: panther,
13. Carnelian intaglio: Victory and armour,
14. Bloodstone intaglio: bust of Ceres,
15. Carnelian intaglio: Dioscures,
16. Green chalcedony intaglio: Bacchus with panther,
17. Banded agate intaglio: seated warrior,
18. Garnet intaglio: griffin,
19. Carnelian intaglio: crouched dog,
20. Three-layered agate intaglio: head of boy.

Provenance:

Collection of a French jeweller, purchased in the 1970’s.

English private collection, purchased in the 1990’s.