Beschreibung:

A ROMAN SARDONYX CAMEO WITH A PORTRAIT OF THE EMPEROR NERO CIRCA MID 1ST CENTURY A.D. Cameo: 1 5/16 in. (3.3 cm.) long; Mount: 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) long Provenance William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough (1704-1793), Parkstead House, Roehampton, acquired by 1761. George Spencer 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739-1817), Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, acquired from the above, circa 1765; thence by descent to his son, George Spencer Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766-1840), Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire; thence by descent to his son, George Spencer Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough (1793–1857), Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire; thence by descent to his son, John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough (1822-1883), Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. The Marlborough Gems: Being a Collection of Works in Cameo and Intaglio Formed by George, Third Duke of Marlborough , Christie's, London, 28 June-1 July 1875, lot 406. David Bromilow (1809-1898), Bitteswell Hall, Leicestershire, acquired from the above; thence by descent to his daughter, Julia Harriet Mary Jary, Bitteswell Hall, Leicestershire, 1898. The Marlborough Gems: A Collection of Works in Cameo and Intaglio Formed by George, Third Duke of Marlborough, Purchased by the Late David Bromilow, Esq., of Bitteswell Hall, Lutterworth, the Property of Mrs. Jary , Christie's, London, 26-29 June 1899, lot 406. Charles Newton Robinson (1853-1913), London, acquired from the above (according to the auctioneer's book). Catalogue of the Valuable and Important Collection of Engraved Gems Formed by Charles Newton Robinson Esq. , Christie's, London, 22 June 1909, lot 111. Giorgio Sangiorgi (1886-1965), Rome, acquired and brought to Switzerland, late 1930s; thence by continuous descent to the current owners.