An extraordinary neoclassical rock crystal intaglio. Jason and zodiac signs.

1820-1830 circa
...

An extraordinary neoclassical rock crystal intaglio. Jason and zodiac signs.

1820-1830 circa

30 x 42 x 6 mm

Jason, son of the king of Iolco, Aeson, and husband of the sorceress Medea, was at the head of the Argonauts expedition, aimed at the conquest of the golden fleece. Wanting to regain the throne of Iolco usurped from his father Eson by his stepbrother Pelias, Jason will have to go to conquer the Golden Fleece, the skin of the golden ram located in Colchis from King Aetas, at the head of a group of heroes, the Argonauts, who form the crew of the ship Argo. Thanks to Medea, daughter of Eeta, he succeed in his quest and, after many adventures characterizing the whole trip, he will return to Iolco. In this extraordinary rock crystal intaglio, the hero is represented in all his youthful strength and beauty with the attributes of success. The character is facing left, with the helmeted head in profile and with the chest slightly twisted in three-quarters. The gaze downwards, is contemplative, the left hand resting on the side, while the right holding a spear, the tip pointing downwards. The left leg supports the vigorous body, while the right elegantly lifting the heel. The body is muscular, sculpted with meticulous anatomical details, with great technical skill. On the chest appears the sword sheath leather band, while the feet are protected by sandals whose very thin sole can be seen under the feet. The left arm also carries the mythical fur of the Golden Fleece, emblem of his great enterprise; a flap of cloak rises behind the back, blown by the wind, according to a typical neoclassical iconography. The figure of Jason, perfectly centered in the field of the stone, dominates in all its heroic splendor, in a powerful sculptural pose of classical inspiration, and at the same time intimate and delicate. A strong allegorical and astrological meaning is present in this precious gem, showing the 12 zodiacal signs masterfully engraved on the edge of the back of the stone. The extraordinary stylistic rendering of the zodiac symbols is emphasized by their executive perfection despite the narrow and complicated space to engrave, since the edge is inclined. Despite of its thickness, the transparency of the stone makes possible the perception of all signs engraved on the back, creating an effect of passing and overlapping of both scenes, united in a single great astral allegory. The celestial signs accompany Jason in his mythical triumph, after many difficulties and fights. His effigy appears thus protected by the gods and the planets, from the beginning to eternity, as revealed by the letters alpha and omega, the seal of this scene. The compositional structure of the standing (or seated) figure surrounded by the zodiac is known and attested since ancient times also in the glyptic, in rare and valuable specimens; however the stylistic and executive details seem to advance the dating of this gem to the neoclassical Era.

U. Pannuti, La collezione glittica. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, vol. 2, p. 164 n. 130 (Apollo-Helios with the zodiac, ancient roman carnelian intaglio); J. Kagan, O. Neverov, 500 pierres gravées du Cabinet de Duc d'Orléans, p. 67 n. 57/29 (16th century carnelian intaglio); p. 145 n. 273/91, p. 165 n. 335/153. L.P.B. Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti, vol. 1, tomo I n. 125; n. 197; tomo 4 n. 48 and 228; vol. 2: tomo 5 n. 395 (copy of L. Pichler after the famous carnelian intaglio of Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Cabinet des Méedailles) and n. 424; tomo 8 n. 288.

U.K., private collection, acquired from M-G., 70's, London.