William Brown (1748-1825) British, circa 1781

signed: BROWN.T⁺ ; the inside of the shank numbered: 7915

George Augustus Frederick, Prince of Wales, later King George IV, Carlton House, London, acquired 1791

London, Royal Academy, 1791, no. 274 

E.R. Raspe and J. Tassie, A descriptive catalogue of a general collection of ancient and modern engraved gems, cameos as well as intaglios: taken from the most celebrated cabinets in Europe: and cast in coloured pastes, white enamel, and sulphur, London, 1791, no 7077;
A. Graves, The Royal Academy of Arts, a complete dictionary of contributors and their work from its foundation in 1769 to 1904, London, 1905, vol. I, p. 314

Overall the condition of the ring is good with some minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age, including some black flecks in Cupid's hair. There is some minute losses on the edges of the bezel, including on the bottom and the left side. There is some residue of a paste visible on the right side of the intaglio. The red leather contemporary box is in a good condition, with some fraying and discolouration of the silk fabric consistent with age.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

William Brown 'should stand at the very top of any list of British gem engravers' according to Julia Kagan (op. cit., p. 207). Celebrated during his lifetime, he was employed by Catherine the Great of Russia, and many of his prized works are today in the Hermitage collections. Brown made cameos with the same subject for Catherine the Great (Kagan, op. cit., pp. 356-357, nos. 231-232). The present cornelian may have been supplied to Prince George by the zoologist Thomas Martyn (1760-1816). A ring with a similar shank is in the Royal Collection (inv. no. RCIN 65391).

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Kagan, Gem engraving in Britain from Antiquity to the Present with a Catalogue of the British Engraved Gems in the State Hermitage Museum, Oxford, 2010, pp. 207, 356-357, nos. 231-232