Adam's Fine Jewellery & Watches Tuesday May 15th 2018

21 23 A MID-19TH CENTURY AGATE AND GOLD CAMEO BROOCH, BY GIROMETTI The agate carved to depict the bust of the goddess Artemis, within a scrolling openwork gold frame, mounted in 18K gold, VLJQHG *LURPHWWL HQJUDYHG ¶3*· RQ WKH UHYHUVH SRVVLEO\ IRU 3LHWUR *LURPHWWL OHQJWK FP € 1,500 - 2,500 Pietro Girometti (1811-1859) was a distinguished Italian gem-engraver and medallist. From 1838 he worked as an engraver at the Papal Mint and succeeded his father, Giuseppe Girometti (1780-1851) as Head Engraver. Pietro is especially well regarded for his medals, which are valuable for their portraits. His gem engraving is also among the finest produced in the nineteenth century; however, it is easily confused with his father’s work. Both father and son worked closely together on several important commissions and each signed their work “GIROMETTI”. Subtle differences in the style of their signatures help to distinguish their work. Pietro’s signatures are slightly more elabo- rated than Giuseppe’s simpler versions. Both artists’ work is represented in important collections across the globe, including this example by Pietro Girometti of a helmeted female warrior, the Minerva of Aspasios, currently held at the British Museum. The goddess portrayed in this cameo brooch is believed to be Artemis.The face bears a striking resemblance to the Classical Greek sculpture “Artemis, goddess of the hunt, known as the Diana ofVersailles”, housed at the Louvre, Paris.Artemis, one of the more important goddesses in Greek mythology, was the counterpart of the Roman goddess Diana. She was the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo. Artemis is both the goddess of the hunt, usually depicted with a bow and arrow, as well as the goddess of chastity. Her other distinguishing attribute is a crescent moon, often seen in cameo depictions of her. The Louvre sculpture of Artemis is much-celebrated and has been copied, cast and imitated numerous times in modern Europe, in engrav- ings, ceramics and small bronzes. Originally gifted by Pope Paul IV to Henri II in 1556, the statue moved between several royal French residencies including the Jardin de la Reine at the palace de Fontainebleau and the palace ofVersailles, before installing at the Louvre. Image © RMN-Grand Palais (Musee du Louvre/Herve Lewandowski The Minerva ofAspasios, Pietro Girometti,The British Museum, London. Image © British Museum