Italian, circa 1800 | Intaglio with Apollo in his chariot surrounded by the signs of the zodiac

Astrological gems in which the signs of the zodiac are represented around the border, with a scene in the central emblema, interested gem collectors from the 16th century. See, for example, the famous Arundel Zodiac which was likely made in Italy circa 1540 and was sold in these rooms on 15 July 2021. Such carvings are ultimately a testament to the renaissance interest in the relationship between the zodiac, the twelve constellations and man. Marcus Manilius Latin poem Astronomica, written in the early 1st century AD, was rediscovered in the 15th century, and inspired the Neo-platonic philosopher Ficino.

The present cameo, which is beautifully executed, is close to a gem recorded in the Paoletti collection (see Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, op. cit.). The model is derived from Raphael.

RELATED LITERATURE

L. Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti, Stampi in vetro per impronte di intagli e cammei, vol. i, Rome, 2013, p. 65, no. 424 [inv. no. MR 27059]