Bust of the Emperor Vespasian (Titus Flavius Vespasianus, 9–79)

Unknown

probably mid-18th century · Onyx, mounted in gold, with rubies, amethyst, and emerald, as a pendant · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The fleshy pink and lavender tones and opulent setting are rather at variance with the emperor’s gross features, which were modeled on a Medici cameo reproduced in an engraving in Antonio Francesco Gori’s Museum florentinum (Florence, 1731–34). Our gem had this mount when it was in the Marlborough collection.

Artist

Unknown

Date

probably mid-18th century

Medium

Onyx, mounted in gold, with rubies, amethyst, and emerald, as a pendant

Culture

Italian

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

The Milton Weil Collection, 1939