BROCHURE In gold with rocaille decoration and... Lot 28

BROCHURE In gold with rocaille decoration and wire drawing, set in the center of an intaglio with strata representing an allegory of Mercury and Psyche. In the center, the winged foot of Mercury tramples a butterfly. On the sides, petasus and purse, typical attributes of the god. Mercury, in addition the mythical messenger of the gods and the protector of merchants and travelers, was also a conductor of dead souls (Hermes Psychopompe). In In this case, the butterfly can symbolize Psyche, the soul and the brevity of life. Rare subject. Use of globular elements typical of the late Republican style. Presence of two holes on the edge (not through) probably originally mounted in a rotating seal. The stone is characterized by three layers and the back has a particularly with concentric layers. For a very similar representation very similar, see Antiken Gemmen in Deutschen Sammlungen, vol. IV Hanover and Hamburg, no. Plate 1334. 184. Intaglio: Late Republican art, 1st century B.C. 21 x 23 mm Brooch end of XIXth century. Diam 31 mm ; 10 grs A 19th century gold brooch set with a rare late republican striated agate intaglio depicting an allegorical scene with Mercury and Psyche. In the center, the winged foot of Mercury tramples a butterfly. On the sides, petasus and purse, typical attributes of the god. Mercury, in addition to being the mythical messenger of the gods and protector of merchants and travellers, was also a conductor of dead souls (Hermes Psychopomp). In this case, the butterfly can symbolize Psyche, the soul and the shortness of life. Rare subject. Use of globular elements typical of the late Republican style. Presence of two holes on the edge (not through) probably originally mounted in a rotating seal. The stone is characterized by three layers and the back has a particularly elegant color with concentric layers. For a very similar representation, cf. Antiken Gemmen in Deutschen Sammlungen, vol. IV Hanover and Hamburg, no. Plate 1334. 184. Intaglio: 1st century B.C. 21 x 23 mm Brooch: Late 19th century. Diam 31 mm; 10 grs Provenance Former French collection, Paris