Agate Intaglio With Venus And Cupid. Italian, 17th Century.

Agate intaglio with Venus and Cupid. Italian, 17th century.

An agate intaglio carved with an image of Venus and Cupid.

Italian, 17th century.

Set in a modern, high carat gold ring.

The intaglio measures 2.2 x 1.6cm.

Ring size S 1/2 UK / 9.25 US.

A similar intaglio can be found in the Beazley archive, reference Number: 7.I.K.48 (see last image), it is described as: Venus poses with a gracious movement of her body, whilst her foot is above a serpent. Venus seems to have lifted something which the cherub tries to get back*. An animal is in the field. Current Collection: Cades, T.: Impronte dell' Instituto: Libro 7, classe I, K, no.48.

*As in our example, Venus is holding aloft an arrow, out of reach of Cupid.