Large oval brooch

Large oval gold brooch (750‰) with filigree and beaded border in the neo-Greek taste.
Set with an oval cameo on shell depicting Antinous in the guise of Bacchus (Dionysus) in straight proil bust.
Work attributed to Giuseppe Girometti, Rome, first half of the 19th century.
steel pin
Height : 7 cm - Width : 6 cm
Gross weight : 26,9 g

This cameo is of the highest quality, as you can see in every detail.
The profile is extremely expressive, gentle and benevolent.
This magnificent work was clearly created by a virtuoso, and is a testament to the excellence of the fine stone engraver Giuseppe Girometti, who practiced in Rome until 1851.

In the 19th century, representations of Antinous became all the rage, particularly in England, where it was a must for the very high aristocracy to own "their Antinous", either as objets d'art or jewelry.

But long before that, the history and representations of this extraordinary character, a favorite of Emperor Hadrian who deified him, had fascinated art lovers, including many popes. Some of the finest statues of Antinous can still be admired today in the Vatican collections.
His story fascinated Marguerite Yourcenar, who turned it into a novel, "Hadrian's Memoirs", which contributed, and still contributes today, to making known this emperor Hadrian of rare erudition, highly spiritual, and who used the arts and sacred architecture to transmit Knowledge, through Antinous.

bibliography :

(1) Vatican Museum
Giuseppe Girometti, (Rome 1780-1851)
Cameo: profile of Antinoos with the attributes of Dionysus, in a neoclassical mounting
Acquired by Gregory XVI (1845)
Ante 1836
Oriental agate; gold, height cm 8; width cm 5.5; thickness cm 1.7
Inv. 66661

(2) H.J. Rambach, The Antinous Braschi on Engraved Gems, "LANX" 15 (2013), pp. 111-122
Hadrien J. Rambach
The Antinous Braschi on Engraved Gems: an Intaglio by Giovanni Beltrami

(3) Barnebys magazine: Cameos and intaglios, jewels in the service of history

Ref: 7E11L9CH72