Carnelian Intaglio depicting Venus, Cupid an Juno

Description

Carnelian intaglio depicting Venus ,Cupid and Juno signed Diokleo?The “fake” signature is one of the Poniatowski names used by probably the Roman gem engraver Giovanni Pichler, in original contemporary swivel gold ring imitating the ancient. Size of intaglio 26mmx22mm Ref:INT9962
Prince Stanislas Poniatowski (1754-1833) the wealthy nephew of the last King of Poland commissioned about 2500 gems and encouraged the belief that they were, in fact, ancient. The greater part was the product of a group of gem-engravers in Rome who turned to Classical literature, especially the works of Homer, Vergil and Ovid for inspiration, and not to the many ancient Classical representations which had inspired much Neo-Classical art. As such, it seems to have been generally overlooked as a source for such later depictions of mythological subjects, although comparable works by other Neo-Classical artists, in Britain and on the Continent have been well studied.

Poniatowski published a summary catalogue of his gems, Catalogue des Pierres Gravees Antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski, in 1830, with more elaborate descriptions following in two versions in 1833. His collection was sold after his death at a Christie’s auction in 1839 (April 29-May 21). The gems were later recognized as ‘modern’, The majority was acquired by John Tyrrell, but some were purchased by others. All have been widely dispersed ever since