Jewellery - 18th July 2019

Lot 1281

A late 19th century carved hardstone cameo

Estimate £400 - £600 | Hammer £9000

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Description

A late 19th century carved hardstone cameo, depicting a seated Cupid chained to a rock, his head held in his hands with despair, signed below Pistrucci, mounted in a gold stick pin

Benedetto Pistrucci was particularly well known for his fine engraving of the St George and Dragon design used for British sovereigns.

A similar example by Giovanni Pichler can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rome.

A chained Cupid traditionally appears in the mythological scene with Andromeda chained to the rock whilst being rescued by Perseus from the Sea Monster.