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Lot 388
A group of hardstone cameo rings
Closed9 October 2012
Price Realised
GBP 6,250
More Information
A group of hardstone cameo rings
Comprising: an oval agate cameo of William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806) in profile facing right, in gold reeded mount, early 19th century, finger size I: a 16th century oval agate cameo carved as the bust of Fortuna facing left holding a cornucopia, 16th century, in an 18th century gold mount with engraved shoulders and spiral engraved reverse, finger size K; an oval agate cameo carved as the profile head of Socrates facing right, probably early 19th century in gold reeded design mount, finger size M; and an oval agate cameo carved as the head of Athena in profile facing left, within a wirework surround to a plain hoop, late 19th/early 20th century (4)
Comprising: an oval agate cameo of William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806) in profile facing right, in gold reeded mount, early 19th century, finger size I: a 16th century oval agate cameo carved as the bust of Fortuna facing left holding a cornucopia, 16th century, in an 18th century gold mount with engraved shoulders and spiral engraved reverse, finger size K; an oval agate cameo carved as the profile head of Socrates facing right, probably early 19th century in gold reeded design mount, finger size M; and an oval agate cameo carved as the head of Athena in profile facing left, within a wirework surround to a plain hoop, late 19th/early 20th century (4)
A group of hardstone cameo rings
Comprising: an oval agate cameo of William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806) in profile facing right, in gold reeded mount, early 19th century, finger size I: a 16th century oval agate cameo carved as the bust of Fortuna facing left holding a cornucopia, 16th century, in an 18th century gold mount with engraved shoulders and spiral engraved reverse, finger size K; an oval agate cameo carved as the profile head of Socrates facing right, probably early 19th century in gold reeded design mount, finger size M; and an oval agate cameo carved as the head of Athena in profile facing left, within a wirework surround to a plain hoop, late 19th/early 20th century (4)
Comprising: an oval agate cameo of William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806) in profile facing right, in gold reeded mount, early 19th century, finger size I: a 16th century oval agate cameo carved as the bust of Fortuna facing left holding a cornucopia, 16th century, in an 18th century gold mount with engraved shoulders and spiral engraved reverse, finger size K; an oval agate cameo carved as the profile head of Socrates facing right, probably early 19th century in gold reeded design mount, finger size M; and an oval agate cameo carved as the head of Athena in profile facing left, within a wirework surround to a plain hoop, late 19th/early 20th century (4)
William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806) became Britain's youngest ever Prime Minister in 1784 at the age of 24, out manouvering the Whigs and his great rival Charles James Fox. A popular ditty of the time remarked that it was "a sight to make all nations stand and stare: a kingdom trusted to a schoolboy's care". While the new government was predicted to fall quickly, Pitt remained in office for seventeen years.
Please note that the cameo of Athena is glass and not hardstone.