A fine neoclassical carnelian intaglio set in a modern gold ring. Hercules fighting the Nemean Lion.

A fine neoclassical carnelian intaglio set in a modern gold ring. Hercules fighting the Nemean Lion.

Late 18th - early 19th century.

Stone 15 x 22 mm; ring size diam. 20 mm; 13.16 gr.

The hero strangles the Nemean lion. His muscles are tense for the effort. The beast clings to Hercules, but its defeat is very close. Below, the club. Groundline formed by a ground portion. The work is performed with great skill and particular attention to the anatomical details deeply engraved. The model is certainly ancient, but this intaglio is to be considered neoclassical, close to the production of Pichler and Calandrelli. Both engravers in fact, produced intaglios with this exact depiction, after an ancient intaglio in nicolo, formerly in the Jenkins collection, then Poniatowski (print engraved by Thomas Worlidge, 1757, London British Museum, Dep. Prints and Drawings n. 1859.0709.889 A Pichler's intaglio with the same subject (onyx, before 1787) is defined by sources as "from an ancient gem"; that Pichler's work is signed Filemonos in Greek letters, as a pseudonym and "forgery" for the Grand Tour market. Calandrelli engraved the same subject, with minimal variations). In that case, the carnelian intaglio mounted in a later gold ring shows strong wear marks specific of some procedures used above all by Calandrelli to forge his gems in an ancient style. However, the execution technique and style are identifiable with the hand of a Pichler, presumably Giovanni or Luigi. Beautiful work. Parallels: L.P. B. Stefanelli, La Collezione Paoletti, vol. 2, p. 57 n. 359 (Tomo V); p. 66 n. 457 (tomo V); p. 209 n. 103 (Tomo VII). See also J. Boardman, J. Kagan, C. Wagner, Natter's Museum Britannicum, n. 260 (sard intaglio).

Provenance: UK private collection, from the London art market.