Description

This depiction of Mars was created with intaglio, one of the two primary gem-carving techniques used in the ancient world. The term derives from the Italian word intagliare, meaning “to cut into or engrave,” and describes the process by which an artist carved this image into the surface of the stone. The complementary technique, known as cameo, produced an image in relief (raised).Both this gem and the cameo on display nearby were pre-viously part of a collection in England formed in the 17th century by the Earl of Arundel. After being held together for more than 250 years, the gems were dispersed at auction in 1899—only to be reunited in Chicago over 100 years later.

Provenance

Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel (1586-1646), Arundel House, London; by descent to his wife, Aletheia Talbot Howard (1585-1654), Arundel House, London; given to her son, Henry Frederick Howard, 22nd Earl of Arundel (1608-1652), Arundel House, London; by descent to his son, Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk (1628-1684), Arundel House, London; by descent to his widow, Jane Bickerton Howard (1643-1693), Arundel House, London; Henry Mordant, 2nd Earl of Peterborough (1621-1697), Drayton House, Northamptonshire, c. 1690; by descent to his daughter, Lady Mary Mordant (1659-1705), Drayton House, Northamptonshire; by descent to her second husband, Sir John Germain (1650-1718), Drayton House, Northamptonshire; by descent to his second wife, Lady Elizabeth Germain (1680-1769), Knole House, Kent; by descent to her great-niece, Mary Beauclerk (1743-1812), 1762 [on the occasion of her marriage to Lord Charles Spencer (1740-1820)]; George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739-1817), Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, c. 1765; by descent to his son, George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766-1840), Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire; by descent to his son, George Spencer-Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough (1793–1857), Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire; by descent to his son, John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough (1822-1883), Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire; sold, Christie’s, London, June 28–July 1, 1875, lot 109 to David Bromilow (1809-1898), Bitteswell Hall, Leicestershire; by descent to his daughter, Julia Harriet Mary Jary, Bitteswell Hall, Leicestershire, 1898; sold, Christie’s, London, June 26–19, 1899, lot 109 to Francis E. Whelan (1848-1907). Charles Newton-Robinson (1853-1913), London; sold, Christie’s, London, June 22, 1909, lot 71, to Spink, London. Giorgio Sangiorgi (1886-1965), Rome, acquired and brought to Switzerland, late 1930s; by descent; sold, Christie’s, New York, Apr. 29, 2019, lot 31, to Ariadne Galleries, New York; sold to private collection, New York City, 2020; sold, Christie's, New York, Oct. 11, 2021, lot 59, to the Art Institute of Chicago.

Intaglio of Mars

Intaglio: about 1st century BCE setting: date unknown

Accession Number

262083

Medium

Intaglio: carnelian setting: gold

Dimensions

H.: 4.1 cm (1 5/8 in.)

Classification

intaglio

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Katherine K. Adler Memorial Endowment Fund; Robert J. and Stephanie R. Klein Ancient Art Acquisition Fund; purchased with funds provided by an anonymous donor; David P. Earle III Endowment Fund

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