Jewelry Through the Ages: Ancient to Neoclassical

Sale 1991

Timed

Closing from:Mar 25 | 4:00 PM CDT

Timed

Lot 141

A Roman Carnelian Cameo of a Boy — Set in a gold pendant

Lot 141

A Roman Carnelian Cameo of a Boy

Set in a gold pendant

Status:

Closed

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Estimate$4,000 – $6,000

Status

Closed

A Roman Carnelian Cameo of a Boy

Set in a gold pendant

Circa 1st-2nd Century A.D.

Height of pendant 1 3/8 inches (3.49 cm); 18 karat gold; 22.3 dwt.

Property from the Collection of Mr. Felix Brejente, Schaumburg, Illinois

Provenance:

Christie's, New York, Ancient Jewelry, 8 December 1999, Lot 73.

Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., Chicago, where acquired by the present owner, 13 June 2024.

This softly carved cameo depicts a youthful boy turned three-quarters left, his rounded features and curly hair evoking infant divinities like Eros or Dionysus. Ancient authors such as Pliny the Elder (Natural History, Book 37) note that cameos served as personal amulets or status symbols, often believed to possess protective qualities. Carnelian was particularly prized for such purposes due to its rich color and durability.

For similar cameos of youthful figures, see Dumbarton Oaks (Acc. no. BZ.1930.20), the British Museum (Acc. no. 1890,0210.2), and the Michael C. Carlos Museum (Acc. no. 2008.031.054).

Inspected under UV light and 10x loupe. Notable chip to back. Minor gouge to proper right cheek and slight weathering to tip of nose. Overall in very fine and attractive condition. See additional images.

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Jacob Coley

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Antiquities and Ancient Art

[email protected]312 280 1212

Mr. Coley joined the Antiquities department in 2021 after working as Managing Director in the Ancient Art department at Colnaghi, the world’s oldest commercial art gallery, where he helped to establish the Ancient Art department and launched Colnaghi New York in 2017. Prior to Colnaghi, Mr. Coley was in the Greek and Roman Art department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Coley holds a B.A. from the University of Miami and an M.A. in Art Market from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and he earned an art-appraisal certificate from New York University.

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Jewelry Through the Ages: Ancient to Neoclassical

A Roman Carnelian Cameo of a Boy

Set in a gold pendant

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