Oval-shaped sard carved with an intaglio depicting a seated half-nude female figure, in an attitude of dejection, behind her an altar bearing a flame, gold, circa 1779 - 81, signed Marchant F

Size/Dimensions: UK ring size G
Gross Weight: 5.6 grams

Acquired by Thomas Grimston (1753-1821) a prominent English landowner and collector from Grimston Garth Yorkshire, who travelled extensively in his youth and probably met Marchant in Rome.
Thence by descent.

Cf. G. Seidmann, Nathaniel Marchant, Gem Engraver, 1739-1816, The Walpole Society, LIII, 1987, page 56, figure 73, Cat. no. 66

Catalogue of 100 Impressions from Gems engraved by Nathaniel Marchant, J. Edwards, London 1792, no. LIX ‘Iphigenia in Aulis. From part of a group on a marble vase, lately in the Villa Medici now in the Grand Duke’s Gallery at Florence’

Tassie & Raspe 1791 ‘ A Descriptive Catalogue of a General Collection of Ancient and Modern Engraved Gems Cameos as well as Intaglios’ no. 6302 ‘Sardonyx. Mr Grimstone. Venus or some other nymph…an excellent engraving’

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Lot Essay

Nathaniel Marchant (1739 - 1816) was one of the most prominent neo-classical gem engravers of the of the late 18th / early 19th century. The original gem was engraved in Rome during his residency in Italy and Marchant sent a sulphur impression from Rome as part of his first Royal Academy exhibition entry in 1781.