Live Auction 3773Living With Art
A CARVED BANDED AGATE CAMEO BUST OF A RULER
Lot 282 A PRIVATE COLLECTION FROM A MONTECITO ESTATE

A CARVED BANDED AGATE CAMEO BUST OF A RULER

17TH CENTURY

Closed8 October 2015

Price Realised

USD 8,125

Considering selling a similar item?

Discover its value with a complimentary estimate from our specialists.

More Information

How to sell

A CARVED BANDED AGATE CAMEO BUST OF A RULER
17TH CENTURY
Within a gold mount applied to an oval agate ground within an associated mirror-backed medallion, the silver-gilt frame with chased foliate decoration, within a later ebonized frame
2 ¼ in. (6 cm.) high, the cameo; 5 ½ in. (14 cm.) high, the ormolu frame; 11 ½ in. (29 cm.) high, 10 ¾ in. (27 cm.) wide, overall

The Collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge; Christie's, Paris, 23-25 February 2009, lot 443.

Specialist note

This highly unusual image could represent Midas, the legendary king of Phrygia, the richest of all mortals, who killed himself by drinking the blood of an ox.