George III

Unknown

ca. 1820 · Onyx and gold · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Apparently made as a memorial, this cameo captures George III (r. 1760–1820) in old age, pink, roly-poly and bug-eyed but occupying the field with tremendous authority, much as in the coins designed by Benedetto Pistrucci, which it emulates. Pistrucci’s prowess in modeling and carving (abundantly evident in 2003.431, 2007.30, and 40.20.49) gained him a post at the Royal Mint in London in 1816, soon after he emigrated to England, and he became chief medalist there in 1828.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1820

Medium

Onyx and gold

Culture

British

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

The Milton Weil Collection, 1940