Italian, probably Rome, late 18th century

By tradition, Joséphine Bonaparte, Empress of France (1763- 1814);
Possibly acquired from the Empress Joséphine (or her estate) by Lord Edward Lascelles, “ Beau Lascelles” (1764-1814);
Thence by descent to his grand-niece Catherine, Mrs Granville Edwin Lloyd-Baker (1841-1890);
Thence by family descent to the present owner

This curious cameo shows a youth wearing what appears to be a Phrygian cap. However, cap, lacks the characteristic conical bent apex. Compare with Pichler's carnelian Head of Paris published in Raspe-Tassie no. 15509 (this may be the intaglio in the Hermitage, inv. no. E-17089). For another cameo with a similar cap, see William Brown's Priam in the Hermitage (inv. no. K-1840).