Gold Pin Featuring a Classical Revival Glass Intaglio of a Greek or Roman Philosopher and a Dog, 17th Century CE - 18th Century CE
Glass and Gold
FJ.6135
This intaglio is set in an 18 karat gold pin. Intaglios created from colored glass date to the 18th.Century when the Duke of Orleans employed the chemist Homburg to make...
This intaglio is set in an 18 karat gold pin.
Intaglios created from colored glass date to the 18th.Century when the Duke of Orleans employed the chemist Homburg to make glass intaglio reproductions from ancient gemstones in his own and the royal collections. The work at Homburg acted as an incentive to other engravers including the Glasgow artisan James Tassie. After settling in London he created an extraordinary array of glass intaglios, the quality of which is truly unsurpassed. Tassie' s skill and artistry was so prized that he was commissioned to create collections of glass intaglios for a number of members of European royalty, including the famed Empress Catherine of Russia.
This lovely intaglio shows a man standing, wearing a toga and touching the nose of a dog. The presence of this person suggests one of the more famous philosophers, such as Plato, Socrates or perhaps the Roman Seneca. The Greek philosopher Aristotle mentions dogs in his Historia Animalium, including the great Molossian mastiff. The fine, sleek hound on this intaglio more closely resembles the Castorian or smaller vulpine; the modern greyhound and whippet. Such a charming scene as a master with his hound, makes a c1assical figure in a classy setting even more timeless.
Intaglios created from colored glass date to the 18th.Century when the Duke of Orleans employed the chemist Homburg to make glass intaglio reproductions from ancient gemstones in his own and the royal collections. The work at Homburg acted as an incentive to other engravers including the Glasgow artisan James Tassie. After settling in London he created an extraordinary array of glass intaglios, the quality of which is truly unsurpassed. Tassie' s skill and artistry was so prized that he was commissioned to create collections of glass intaglios for a number of members of European royalty, including the famed Empress Catherine of Russia.
This lovely intaglio shows a man standing, wearing a toga and touching the nose of a dog. The presence of this person suggests one of the more famous philosophers, such as Plato, Socrates or perhaps the Roman Seneca. The Greek philosopher Aristotle mentions dogs in his Historia Animalium, including the great Molossian mastiff. The fine, sleek hound on this intaglio more closely resembles the Castorian or smaller vulpine; the modern greyhound and whippet. Such a charming scene as a master with his hound, makes a c1assical figure in a classy setting even more timeless.
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