Comic mask
Three-layered sardonyx in a new gold mount.2nd—1st cent. BCE.
Cameo: 2.3 cm long; with mount 3.2 cm long max. Christie’s Fine Art Auction House, London
Comic mask.
Three-layered sardonyx in a new gold mount.
2nd—1st cent. BCE.
Cameo: 2.3 cm long; with mount 3.2 cm long max.
2nd—1st cent. BCE.
Cameo: 2.3 cm long; with mount 3.2 cm long max.
Christie’s Fine Art Auction House, London.
Saint Petersburg, State Hermitage Museum.
Origin:
Catherine II of Russia (1729—1796) collection, held at the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.
Private collection, Salzburg, presumed to be acquired 19th century; and thence by descent until 2015.
Private collection, Denmark.
Christie’s Fine Art Auction House, London. Sale 12239 Lot 74, 6 July 2016.
Private collection, Salzburg, presumed to be acquired 19th century; and thence by descent until 2015.
Private collection, Denmark.
Christie’s Fine Art Auction House, London. Sale 12239 Lot 74, 6 July 2016.
Description:
A GREEK SARDONYX CAMEO OF A NEW COMEDY MASK
LATE HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND-1ST CENTURY B.C.
LATE HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND-1ST CENTURY B.C.
The banded stone cut in three layers of brown, white and orange, with a New Comedy character mask, with expansive mouth, bulging articulated eyes and snub nose, heavy wrinkled brows set in a deep frown above, tufts of curling hair either side of his face and a long curling beard and moustache, drilled laterally in antiquity for mounting, mounted in a late 18th century gold two-part collectors mount.
Cameo: 2.3 cm long; with mount 3.2 cm long max.
Estimate: GBP 15,000 — GBP 25,000.
Price realised: GBP 37,500.
Credits:
© 2016. Photo, text: Christie’s Fine Art Auction House (Sale 12239 Lot 74).
Keywords: gemma glyptics gem gems glittica gliptica gemme glyptik glyptique roman romana romano romani römische römischer romain romaine καμέα κάμερες cameo cameos cammeo cammei kamee camée kameo three-layered sardonyx sardonica a tre strati dreischichtiger sardoine à trois couches theatrical mask masks maschere maschera teatrale theatermaske theatermasken masques masque de théâtre θεατρική μάσκα comic comedy comica commedia comic-maske komödienmaske comique comédie
