This late 19th century necklace offered by Peter Wilson in Nantwich on September 13 is a spectacular example of Grand Tour jewellery. Most Georgian or Victorian gentlemen keen to display an appreciation of classical art were satisfied to purchase just one or two hardstone intaglios as a souvenir.
This necklace comprises 27 amethyst, cornelian, agate, chalcedony and sardonyx intaglios, each set in yellow gold.
It was entered for sale in Cheshire earlier this year by a gentlemen from Staffordshire whose mother was an avid antiques collector. Keen to research its history further, auction room receptionist Helena Waudby made her own ‘Grand Tour’ to Oxford to seek the opinion of Dr Martin Henig of the Institute of Archaeology. He was quickly able to identify the intaglios as Roman (rather than Renaissance or later copies) with most dating from the 1st century AD.