A superb carnelian (sardonyx) and gold intaglio pendant form the collection of Prince Stanislas Poniatowski, 1754-1833 representing "THE SHADE OF HECTOR APPEARING TO AENEAS IN HIS SLEEP [THE NIGHT WHICH CLOSED THE FATE OF TROY, TO WARN HIM OF THE DANGER, AND TO URGE HIS REMOVING TO A PLACE OF SAFETY THE LARES AND THE OBJECTS SACRED TO THE WORSHIP OF VESTA]" signed in Greek ΔΙΟΚΛΕΟΥ (Diokleos) the “fake” signature is one of the Poniatowski names used by probably the Roman gem engraver Giovanni Pichler. Mounted in the original gold carved frame with black enamel, stamped with the Papal hallmark of the city of Rome and the goldsmith and jeweller Luigi Mascelli (1804-1825).

Size of the frame cm 5.7 x 5.1 - the gem cm 3.7 x 3.2

Perfect condition

Prince Stanislas Poniatowski (1754-1833) the wealthy nephew of the last King of Poland commissioned about 2500 gems and encouraged the belief that they were, in fact, ancient. The greater part was the product of a group of gem-engravers in Rome who turned to Classical literature, especially the works of Homer, Vergil and Ovid for inspiration, and not to the many ancient Classical representations which had inspired much Neo-Classical art. As such, it seems to have been generally overlooked as a source for such later depictions of mythological subjects, although comparable works by other Neo-Classical artists, in Britain and on the Continent have been well studied.

Poniatowski published a summary catalogue of his gems, Catalogue des Pierres Gravees Antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski, in 1830, with more elaborate descriptions following in two versions in 1833. His collection was sold after his death at a Christie’s auction in 1839 (April 29-May 21). The gems were later recognized as ‘modern’, The majority was acquired by John Tyrrell, but some were purchased by others. All have been widely dispersed ever since