An early 19th century gold necklace mounted with carved gems, PROVENANCE: 2nd Duke of Wellington

An early 19th century gold necklace mounted with twenty-one classical and neo-classical cameos and intaglios, each carved stone mounted in gold and separated with a circular split ring, 55cm long, fitted case by S. J. Phillips, 139 New Bond Street

PROVENANCE: The well detailed carved gems were all from the collection of Arthur Richard Wellesley, 2nd Duke of Wellington. The relatively small gems were considered discreet, sophisticated and highly desirable when the collection was formed.

The necklace was exhibited as part of 'The Wellington Gems' by S.J. Phillips in 1977 and was listed as item 433.

1. Sardonyx cameo, profile portrait of a man in classical dress (possibly Aristotle), 17th century, 1.8cm high

2. Sardonyx cameo, Gryllus with four heads (three of gods and one of a Ram), 17th - 18th century, 1.3cm high

3. Sardonyx cameo, Full-faced youth's head in three colours, late 17th - early 18th century, 1.2cm high

4. Carnelian cameo, Talismanic gem with emblems of fertility, 2nd - 3rd century AD, 1.5cm high

5. Onyx cameo, God Cupid making an offering on an alter and observed by Psyche, 17th century, 1.4cm wide

6. Hessonite garnet cameo, Full-head portrait of Pan, possibly late Roman or Renaissance, 1.3cm

7. Dark sard intaglio, Female profile, 17th century or possibly late Classical period, 1.3cm high

8. Sardonyx cameo, Young male portrait (possibly Britannicus, late 17th century, 1.3cm high

9. Onyx cameo, head of the Virgin Mary, late 18th century, 1.3cm high

10. Three-colour onyx cameo, portrait of the goddess Psyche, 17th century, 1.2cm high

11. Sardonyx cameo, profile of an athlete wearing a taenia, 17th century, 1.2cm high

12. Onyx cameo, profile of a philosopher (possibly Aristotle), late 17th - early 18th century, 1cm high

13. Hessonite garnet cameo, profile of a male bust (possibly Francis Bacon), 17th century, 1.3cm high

14. Sardonyx cameo, profile of a female Goddess, 18th - 19th century, 1.3cm high

15. Onyx cameo, figure with sacrifice to the gods (possibly Hercules with a serpent), 17th century, 1.2cm wide

16. Onyx cameo, Standing lion, late Roman or possibly Renaissance, 1.5cm wide

17. Onyx cameo, head of Athena in profile, 16th - 17th century, 1.3cm high

18. Sardonyx cameo, profile of a satyr, late 17th - early 18th century, 1cm high

19. Sardonyx cameo, double portrait of a beaded man and woman (possibly Antony & Cleopatra, popularised by William Shakespeare), 1.3cm high

20. Onyx cameo, profile of Michaelangelo, possibly 17th century, 1.1cm high

21. Sardonyx intaglio, full female mask and follower of god Bacchus, a rare female Bacchanalian memorial death mask, 1.2cm high