Details
1116 in. (1.7 cm.) long
Provenance
Giorgio Sangiorgi (1886-1965), Rome, acquired and brought to Switzerland, late 1930s; thence by continuous descent to the current owner.
Literature
A. Garside, Jewelry: Ancient to Modern, New York, 1979, p. 163, no. 466.
J. Boardman and C. Wagner, Masterpieces in Miniature: Engraved Gems from Prehistory to the Present, London, 2018, p. 252, no. 235.
Brought to you by
Hannah Solomon
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.View condition report

Lot Essay


The stone is ovoid in form, concave on the reverse, sculpted in high relief with a half-length bust of the saint wearing a cloak fastened at the front by a circular brooch, and holding a spear. Inscribed on either side, ΑΓΙΟ ΠΡΟΚΟΠΙΟC (Saint Prokopios). The cameo is mounted as a ring in a 19th century gold setting.
Procopius was a famous ascetic, theologian and philosopher, born in Jerusalem but moved to Scythopolis. Of his martyrdom on 7 July 303 A.D. during the reign of Diocletian, the Church historian Eusebius informs that he was sent with his companions to Caesarea, where he was decapitated. His depiction on the Sangiorgi cameo conforms to standard representations of the Saint on icons. As Boardman and Wagner (op. cit.) inform, garnet is a rare material for cameos during the Byzantine period. For another example see the cameo in Baltimore depicting a full-length figure of Saint Irene, no. 466 in Garside, op. cit.

Related Articles

Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.

More from
Masterpieces in Miniature: Ancient Engraved Gems formerly in the G. Sangiorgi Collection Part II
Place your bid Condition report

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

I confirm that I have read this Important Notice regarding Condition Reports and agree to its terms. View Condition Report