Warrior with trophy of arms
Intaglio
100BC-0 BC (made), 19th century (alteration)
100BC-0 BC (made), 19th century (alteration)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The art of engraving gemstones can be traced back to ancient Greece in the 8th century BC and earlier. Techniques passed down to the Egyptians and then to the Romans. There were major revivals of interest in engraved gems in Europe during the Byantine era, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and again in the 18th and 19th centuries. At each stage cameos and intaglios, these skillful carvings on a minute scale, were much prized and collected, sometimes as symbols of power mounted in jewelled settings, sometimes as small objects for private devotion or enjoyment. The style and method of engraving in this little ringstone indicate that it was made in the Graeco-Roman world, some time during the century before the birth of Christ.
Engraved gemstones based on classical models were widely produced and collected in Italy in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were brought back by British Grand Tourists, and important collections were formed.
Engraved gemstones based on classical models were widely produced and collected in Italy in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were brought back by British Grand Tourists, and important collections were formed.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Warrior with trophy of arms (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Engraved gemstone set in a gold ring; Pale mottled blue over black layered agate variety 'nicolo'. |
Brief description | Intaglio, oval layered agate variety 'nicolo', depicting a warrior with a trophy of arms, Italy, 100BC-0 BC in 19th century gold ring |
Physical description | Vertical oval intaglio. Depicting a warrior with a trophy of arms. The warrior stands at the right, naked except for a cloak draped over his right shoulder and hanging down. He holds a long spear in his left hand. Beside him is a collection of arms topped by a helmet, and with a shield leaning up at the bottom. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Credit line | Townshend Bequest |
Object history | This gem was part of the collection of the Reverend Chauncy Hare Townshend (1798-1868), who bequeathed his important collection to the South Kensington Museum in 1869. Although the gemstone collection is not as comprehensive as that found at the Natural History Museum in London, it is of particular historic interest as its formation pre-dates the development of many synthetic stones and artificial enhancements. All the stones were mounted as rings before they came to the Museum. Some are held in the Sculpture Section, other more elaborately mounted ones in the Metalwork Section. As well as being a clergyman, collector and dillettante, the Reverend Townshend wrote poetry. He met Robert Southey in 1815 and through him the Wordsworths, the Coleridges and John Clare. He was a friend of Charles Dickens and dedicatee of his novel 'Great Expectations'. |
Historical context | Engraved gemstones based on classical models were widely produced and collected in Italy in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were brought back by British Grand Tourists, and important collections were formed. |
Production | Attribution note: Layered agate, variety 'nicolo'. Pale mottled blue layer over black (J. Whalley May 2009). |
Summary | The art of engraving gemstones can be traced back to ancient Greece in the 8th century BC and earlier. Techniques passed down to the Egyptians and then to the Romans. There were major revivals of interest in engraved gems in Europe during the Byantine era, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and again in the 18th and 19th centuries. At each stage cameos and intaglios, these skillful carvings on a minute scale, were much prized and collected, sometimes as symbols of power mounted in jewelled settings, sometimes as small objects for private devotion or enjoyment. The style and method of engraving in this little ringstone indicate that it was made in the Graeco-Roman world, some time during the century before the birth of Christ. Engraved gemstones based on classical models were widely produced and collected in Italy in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were brought back by British Grand Tourists, and important collections were formed. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 1817-1869 |
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Record created | October 19, 2004 |
Record URL |
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