Bonhams
Lot 3
A Carnelian intaglio signet ring, Formerly Belonging to Prince Stanislas PoniatowskiRubover-set with a large oval carnelian intaglio, carved to depict the Vestal Virgin Claudia Quinta dragging the goddess Cybele's ship in to Rome, inscribed in reverse to the lower edge 'S.NASICA', with reeded borders to the sides, the swivelling ring front flanked by scroll pierced shoulders, to a reeded shank, size L½, carnelian measuring approximately 25.6 x 19.4mm Footnotes:Prince Stanislas Poniatowski (1754-1833), nephew of the last King of Poland, went into affluent exile in 1791. He was a passionate collector of antiquities and commissioned an extraordinary series of 2,500 intaglios, encouraging the belief that the gems were ancient engravings. The group of contemporary gem-engravers who produced them in Rome signed them with known or invented signatures. In 1830, Poniatowski published a catalogue of his gems before releasing two further versions containing more elaborate descriptions in 1833. When his collection was offered for sale by Christie's in London after his death, connoisseurs and potential buyers were outraged to discover that the gems were 'modern' and the sale was largely derided. All of the gems have since been widely dispersed. Today, they are appreciated in their own right as fine examples of neo-classical gem-engraving. The style of this intaglio is thought to be that of Giovanni Calandrelli and the gem depicts an event thought to have taken place in 204 B.C., the year of Scipio Nausica's consulship. Rome was engaged in the final years of the Second Punic War against Carthage and, afraid of prophecies foretelling defeat in this campaign and a failed harvest, the city decided to bring a sacred statue of the goddess Cybele from her shrine in Greek Asia Minor. When the ship carrying the goddesses' image became stuck in the River Tiber, Claudia prayed for the goddess's help, and was able to release and tow the ship into the city single-handed. With the goddess as protector, Rome finally defeated Hannibal, and a good harvest was secured.Provenance:Prince Stanislas Poniatowski (1754-1833) collection; sold at Christie's, London, upon his death (29 April-21 May).Beazley Archive gem database no. 1839-1483.Literature:Poniatowski, S., Catalogue des pierres graves antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski, 1830-1833: IX.1.61Prendeville, J., Explanatory catalogue of the proof-impressions of the antique gems possessed by the late Prince Poniatowski and now in the possession of John Tyrrell, Esq, H. Graves for the proprietor, London, 1841For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
