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Oval gem with bust of man
Roman
Republican Period
early 1st century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Carnelian
Dimensions
Length: 18 mm (11/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number27.714
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
Catalogue Raisonné
Lewes House Gems, no. 100 (1920; 2002, additional published references).
DescriptionIntaglio. Set in modern gold bezel. Motif carved on convex side. Head in profile to the right. Crown of head restored with gold. The man has short hair, wrinkled forehead, straight nose, incised pupil. The eyebrow is rendered by a series of short, diagonal lines. Ear is slightly misshapen. He wears a cloak that is visible around his neck.
ProvenanceProbably Cardinal Francesco Boncompagni (b. 1596 – d. 1641), Rome [see note 1]. By 1897, Michal Tyszkiewicz (b. 1828 – d. 1897), Rome; June 8 - 10, 1898, posthumous Tyszkiewicz sale, Hotel Drouot, Paris, lot 296. By 1926, Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 – d. 1928), London; 1926, loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren [note 2]; 1927, sold by Edward Perry Warren to the MFA $ 161,000 [note 3]. (Accession Date: November 17, 1927)
Notes:
[1]According to J. D. Beazley, The Lewes House Collection of Ancient Gems, no. 100. Most of the Boncompagni Ludovisi collection of gems was formed by Cardinal Francesco Boncompagni in the 17th century. However it is possible that his heir, Girolamo Boncompagni (b. 1622 - d. 1684), added to the collection. Upon his death in 1684, Girolamo willed his collection to the Ospedali della Vita e della Morte in Bologna. The family heir, Gregorio Boncompagni, disputed the will and eventually got the gem collection back (see https://villaludovisi.org/2013/05/22/new-from-1706-an-inventory-and-cash-assessment-of-coins-and-medals-in-the-museo-boncompagni-ludovisi-part-ii-of-ii/).
[2]As 71.26.
[3]Total price for MFA accession nos. 27.647-27.761.
Notes:
[1]According to J. D. Beazley, The Lewes House Collection of Ancient Gems, no. 100. Most of the Boncompagni Ludovisi collection of gems was formed by Cardinal Francesco Boncompagni in the 17th century. However it is possible that his heir, Girolamo Boncompagni (b. 1622 - d. 1684), added to the collection. Upon his death in 1684, Girolamo willed his collection to the Ospedali della Vita e della Morte in Bologna. The family heir, Gregorio Boncompagni, disputed the will and eventually got the gem collection back (see https://villaludovisi.org/2013/05/22/new-from-1706-an-inventory-and-cash-assessment-of-coins-and-medals-in-the-museo-boncompagni-ludovisi-part-ii-of-ii/).
[2]As 71.26.
[3]Total price for MFA accession nos. 27.647-27.761.