Items Similar to Chalcedony
Silver-Gilt Bust of the Emperor Vespasian. Italy, 17th–18th century
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16
Chalcedony
Silver-Gilt Bust of the Emperor Vespasian. Italy, 17th–18th century
$7,476.94
£5,475
€6,373.24
CA$10,300.86
A$11,226.12
CHF 5,944.72
MX$134,837.57
NOK 75,261.43
SEK 69,195.48
DKK 47,601
About the Item
Chalcedony and Silver-Gilt Bust of the Emperor Vespasian.
Italy, 17th–18th century.
Measurements
Height overall: 11 cm
Height of bust: 5 cm
Height of chalcedony head: 2.6 cm
Description
A refined small bust depicting the Roman Emperor Vespasian, the head carved from pale green chalcedony, polished to a smooth lustre and exhibiting a drilled aperture at the crown, suggesting a prior function—possibly as a mount or finial—before its integration into the present bust. The facial features are rendered with confident modelling, the hair treated in tight curls around the nape and crown.
The bust itself is of silver gilt, its draped toga carefully chased with deep folds and traces of gilding across the high points, the surface showing age-consistent toning and oxidation. The composite piece is mounted on a later patinated bronze column stand, conceived in the neoclassical manner and complementing the antiquarian character of the bust.
Context
This small-scale portrait evokes the Roman tradition of imperial portraiture and the early modern fascination with the ancient world. From the seventeenth century onwards, artists and collectors revived classical subjects through hardstone and gilt-metal compositions, often intended for display in Kunstkammer or Grand Tour contexts. The combination of a reused ancient or earlier element with a later mount was a practice typical of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, reflecting the period’s reverence for antiquity and its imaginative recontextualisation of ancient forms.
Comparisons
Comparable mounted hardstone busts of emperors, frequently combining chalcedony, agate or jade with gilt-metal or bronze mounts, are preserved in the Munich Residenz Treasury and the Grünes Gewölbe, Dresden, both collections rich in small-scale lapidary works of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:17th century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4435228103772
About the Seller
New to 1stDibs
Joined in the past six months.
No Reviews Yet
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 2011
1stDibs seller since 2025
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: High Wycombe, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllHeliotrope cameo depicting the profile Christ. Italian, 17th century
Located in London, GB
A Heliotrope (Bloodstone) cameo depicting the profile Christ.
Italian, 17th century.
Mounted in a mid 19th century high carat gold brooch setting.
The cameo measures 3.2 x 2.4cm,...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Brooches
An Etruscan Amber Head Pendant. Etruria, circa 5th century B.C.
Located in London, GB
An Etruscan Amber Head Pendant.
Etruria, circa 5th century B.C.
Measurements
5.1 × 3.6 × 2.4 cm.
9cm high on its bronze display stand.
Provenance
Anonymous sale; Sotheby’s L...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Figurines and Sculptures
Marble Statuette of Cybele Enthroned, Roman Empire, circa 3rd Century A.D.
Located in London, GB
Roman Marble Statuette of Cybele Enthroned
Roman Empire, circa 3rd Century A.D.
Measurements: 21.5 × 14 × 9 cm.
A finely carved marble statuette depicting the goddess Cybele, e...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Figurines and Sculptures
Bronze Skull Finial from the Base of a Crucifix. French or German, 17th century.
Located in London, GB
Bronze Skull Finial from the Base of a Crucifix.
French or German, 17th century.
Measurements
3.3 × 3.1 × 2.8 cm
Cast in the form of a human skull, this small bronze would origina...
Category
Antique 17th Century Models and Miniatures
Hardstone Cameo Ring with Classical Muse. Italian, 18th century.
Located in London, GB
Hardstone Cameo Ring with Classical Muse.
Italian cameo, 18th century; English ring mount, late 19th century.
Measurements
Cameo: 1.8 × 1.3 cm
Ring size: K UK / 5.25 US / 50 EU
Wei...
Category
Antique 18th Century Fashion Rings
A Cameo Ring Depicting Silenus. Italy or England, circa 1800–1820.
Located in London, GB
A Cameo Ring Depicting Silenus.
Italy or England, circa 1800–1820.
Materials
Honey-coloured agate cameo set in a silver-gilt ring.
Measurements
Ring size: T 1/2 UK / 9.75 US / ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Signet Rings
You May Also Like
18th-19th Century Neoclassical Multi-Marble Bust of Roman Emperor Titus Domitian
Located in New York, NY
A striking late 18th-early 19th century bust of the Roman Emperor Titus Domitian. The head is made from hand carved white Carrara marble, the tunic and t...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Classical Roman Busts
Materials
Alabaster, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble
Blue John Bust of a Roman Emperor Gilt and Blue John Stand
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Blue John bust of a Roman Emperor with gilt metal and Blue John Stand
Date : 20th century
Origin : Most likely carved in Cornwall
Decoration : In the form of a Roman Empero...
Category
Vintage 1920s British Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Stone
Bust of Emperor Caracalla
Located in Rome, IT
Bust of Emperor Caracalla in gilded bronze, ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, INFORMATION OF THE LOT AND SHIPPING INFORMATION CAN BE REQUEST BY SENDING AN EMAIL. Busto di imperatore Caracalla in br...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Marble, Bronze
18th Century Large Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus
Located in Dublin 8, IE
18th Century Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus. His draped robe is hand-carved in red rosso levanto marble with the face modelled in contrasting white Carrara marble. The piece ...
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble
Marble Bust of the Emperor Augustus
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Marble Bust of the Emperor Augustus
The Carrera marble head and base with a salmon and white colored marble toga.
Height 30 in., Width 22.5 in., Depth 19 in.
Condition Report
Good c...
Category
20th Century Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Italian 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Marble
Ormolu Bust
By Luigi Betti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and stately Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu bust signed, Betti and stamped Pinedo. The striking bust depicts Roman Emperor Julius...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
