Lot 220
Giovanni Antonio Santarelli: An early 19th century onyx and diamond cameo brooch
Auction: 03 June 2026 from 10:00 BST
Description
The oval carved onyx cameo depicting a winged cherub holding a butterfly on a string, signed SANTARELLI, in a border of eighteen cushion-cut diamonds, unmarked
Dimensions
Length: 3.8cm
Footnote
Giovanni Antonio Santarelli (1758 - 1826) was a Florence based gem carver, wax sculptor and medallist in the late/early 19th century. Born in Abruzzi he trained in Rome, later working in the mints of Milan and Palmer, before finally settling in Florence in 1797, taking a position as Professor at the Academy.
He specialised in portraiture, mythological scenes and classical figures as was popular at the time when gem carving in intaglios and cameos was experiences a resurgence in popularity. His work features in numerous institutions, and The British Museum’s collection includes a carved onyx cameo of Pope Pius VI (1867,0507.790) and an another depicting a young Hercules (1867,0507.789).
Indeed, one of his wax portraits featured in the collection of the late Mrs T.S Elliot, a collection amassed with her husband and sold at Christie’s in November 2013 (A Life’s Devotion: The Collection of the Late Mrs T.S Elliot).
He also reputedly worked for a time for the Pichlers, a renowned family of Italian gem carvers in the late 18th and early 19th century. (See Lyon & Turnbull, Lot 111, Jewellery, Watches & Silver, 9th March 2021). Santarelli is also reputed to have contributed to the infamous Poniatowski gems, compiled by Prince Stanislaw Poniatowski (1854-1833), a Polish noble who attempted to pass off his collection of 2600 carved gemstones as genuine antiquities, following his death the collection was sold in 1839 but widespread suspicion surrounding their authenticity meant that interest was poor and the market for simar pieces was adversely effected for a number of years afterwards. Today they are recognized as exceptional 19th century examples of gem carving and feature in a number of national institutions including the Victoria & Albert Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.