Oval gem with bust of man
early 1st century B.C.
Medium/TechniqueCarnelian
DimensionsLength: 18 mm (11/16 in.)
Credit LineBartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession number27.714
On View
Not on viewClassificationsJewelry / Adornment
Collections
ProvenanceProbably Cardinal Francesco Boncompagni (b. 1596 – d. 1641), Rome [see note 1]. By 1897, Michal Tyszkiewicz (b. 1828 – d. 1897), Rome; June 8 - 10, 1898, posthumous Tyszkiewicz sale, Hotel Drouot, Paris, lot 296. By 1926, Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 – d. 1928), London; 1926, loaned to MFA by Edward Perry Warren [note 2]; 1927, sold by Edward Perry Warren to the MFA $ 161,000 [note 3]. (Accession Date: November 17, 1927)
Notes:
[1]According to J. D. Beazley, The Lewes House Collection of Ancient Gems, no. 100. Most of the Boncompagni Ludovisi collection of gems was formed by Cardinal Francesco Boncompagni in the 17th century. However it is possible that his heir, Girolamo Boncompagni (b. 1622 - d. 1684), added to the collection. Upon his death in 1684, Girolamo willed his collection to the Ospedali della Vita e della Morte in Bologna. The family heir, Gregorio Boncompagni, disputed the will and eventually got the gem collection back (see https://villaludovisi.org/2013/05/22/new-from-1706-an-inventory-and-cash-assessment-of-coins-and-medals-in-the-museo-boncompagni-ludovisi-part-ii-of-ii/).
[2]As 71.26.
[3]Total price for MFA accession nos. 27.647-27.761.
Notes:
[1]According to J. D. Beazley, The Lewes House Collection of Ancient Gems, no. 100. Most of the Boncompagni Ludovisi collection of gems was formed by Cardinal Francesco Boncompagni in the 17th century. However it is possible that his heir, Girolamo Boncompagni (b. 1622 - d. 1684), added to the collection. Upon his death in 1684, Girolamo willed his collection to the Ospedali della Vita e della Morte in Bologna. The family heir, Gregorio Boncompagni, disputed the will and eventually got the gem collection back (see https://villaludovisi.org/2013/05/22/new-from-1706-an-inventory-and-cash-assessment-of-coins-and-medals-in-the-museo-boncompagni-ludovisi-part-ii-of-ii/).
[2]As 71.26.
[3]Total price for MFA accession nos. 27.647-27.761.
late 1st century B.C.–1st century A.D.
1st century B.C.
3rd–1st century B.C.
6th century B.C.
2nd – 1st century B.C.
1st century B.C.
1st century B.C.
1st century B.C.
2nd century B.C.
2nd century B.C.
1st century B.C.–1st century A.D.
1st century A.D.