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Oval gem with one of the Horae
European
Modern
17th century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Carnelian
Dimensions
Length: 15 mm (9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number99.106
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
DescriptionIntaglio. Set in modern gold setting. A woman walking to the left, her drapery billowing out around her, in the style of Neo-Attic sculpture. Around her head, a nimbus-like veil. She holds her skirt in her left hand, and with her right hand raised to her shoulder, clutches at her veil. At the right, a thin tree with a small, round tufts of foliage at the top. At the left, a small child, with his hand clasped together and raised over his head - likely meant to be one of the Karpoi, a child of the seasons meant to signify fruit of the earth and fertility. Above the child, a tail and wing of a small bird; rest of bird cut off.
ProvenanceThomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel (b. 1585 - d. 1646); by descent to his great-grandson, Henry Howard, 7th Duke of Norfolk (b. 1655 - d. 1701) and his wife, Mary Howard, Duchess of Norfolk (b. 1659 - d. 1705); bequeathed by Mary Howard to her second husband, John Germain (b. 1650 - d. 1718), 1st Bt.; bequeathed by John Germain to his second wife and widow, Elizabeth Berkeley Germain (b. 1680 - d. 1769); 1762, given by Elizabeth Germain to her great-niece, Mary Beauclerk (b. 1743 - d. 1812), upon her marriage to Lord Charles Spencer (b. 1740 - d. 1820); to his brother, George Spencer (b. 1789 – d. 1817), 4th Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace; by descent to John Winston Spencer-Churchill (b. 1822 – d. 1883), 7th Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace [see note 1]; June 28-July 1, 1875, Marlborough Gems sale, Christie, Manson and Woods, London, lot 265, collection sold en bloc to David Bromilow (d. 1898), Bitteswell Hall, Lutterworth; 1898, by descent to his daughter, Julia Harriet Mary Jary; June 26, 1899, sold by Mrs. Jary, The Marlborough Gems sale, Christie, Manson and Woods, London, lot 265 to W. T. Ready for £11.10s for Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 – d. 1928), London; 1899, sold by Edward Perry Warren to the MFA for $16,502 [see note 2]. (Accession Date: January 1, 1899)
NOTES:
[1] On the history of the Marlborough Gem collection, see the introduction to the 1875 Christie's auction catalog and John Boardman, The Marlborough Gems (2010).
[2] This is the total price for 99.101-99.119.
NOTES:
[1] On the history of the Marlborough Gem collection, see the introduction to the 1875 Christie's auction catalog and John Boardman, The Marlborough Gems (2010).
[2] This is the total price for 99.101-99.119.