A set of twelve mother-of-pearl cameos of Roman Emperors, Southern Italian, early 19th century

each circular, carved and engraved with profiles of the Twelve Caesars, each numbered and inscribed, in turned-wood frames with ink numbering and ink inscription on the reverse

 

Generally good condition, Galba with one crack, traces of glue on Otho, some nicks and restorations to frames.
"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."

The portraits are inscribed and numbered as follows:

1 DIVI IULI    [Julius Caesar]
2 AUG.DIVI.FIL   [Augustus]
3 TI. AUGUSTUS   [Tiberius]
4 C.CAES.TI.F.   [Caligula]
5 CLAUDIUS CAES.   [Claudius]
6 NERO AUG.   [Nero]
7 GALBA AUG.   [Galba]
8 OTHO.CAES.AUG.  [Otho]
9 A.VITEL AUG.   [Vitellius]
10 T. VESP.  AUG.   [Vespasian]
11 VESPAS AUG.   [Titus]
12 DOMIT AUG.   [Domitian]

In 121 AD, G. Suetonius Tranquillus, secretary to Emperor Hadrian, wrote a biographical history of the first twelve emperors of Rome entitled De vita Caesarum, usually rendered in English as The Twelve Caesars. During the Renaissance, a first edition of Suetonius’s work was published in 1470 followed by further reprints and translations into all the main European languages. Many of these were illustrated by prints of the emperors taken from coins or statues or imagined by the artists from Suetonius’s often gossipy accounts. These interpretations were then copied by renaissance designers for various series of medals, busts or Limoges enamels, see for example the set of 24 drawings after Titian (Sotheby's London, 24 February 2015, lot 184).