Very fine Neo-Classical intaglio in citrine quartz. Bust of Cleopatra Selene II by Gnaios.

Remarkable, neoclassical, citrine quartz intaglio signed by Gnaios. Bust of a queen, socalled Cleopatra Selene II. This specimen is accurately inspired by the ancient, original one (carnelian intaglio), the which is preserved at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY), previously Collections: Capponi, Este, Kircher, Poniatowski. Through some impressions and drawings, we are aware of some modern, rare and precious replicas. The effigy, which has been especially admired, has been interpreted, since the 18th century, as Sappho, Cleopatra, Juno and Arsinoe, but only recently identified, through some precise coin confrontations, as the idealized portrait of Cleopatra Selene II, daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Usually a sceptre is detectable also in modern replicas, as it is in the original piece (which can be dated 20 B.C.). In the hereby presented item such sceptre is lacking; anyway, the portrayed bust is absolutely identical, and exquisitely engraved with great mastery. The female head, with hair tied behind the nape and held by three hair bands, is turned to the right; the cloak is fastened on the shoulder. Signature at the bottom, in the exergue, under the bust: ΓNAIOY (GNAIOU). References: G.M. Richter, Catalogue of Engraved gems. Greek-Etruscan-and Roman. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, p. 101 n.463. L. Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, La collezione Paoletti. Stampi in vetro per impronte di intagli e cammei, (vol.1), impronte Tomo I n. 153 (n. inv. MR24191); Marco Leopoldo Ubaldelli, La Dactyliotheca Capponiana-Corpus Gemmarum (Monografia Bollettino di numismatica IPZS) 2001, pp. 299-300, here fig. 1. mm 24 x 20 x 6
Second half of 18th century.