Among the Getty’s purchases, a c.16th century BC Minoan blue chalcedony tabloid seal cut with three swans – $95,000 (£73,000).
The Getty Museum has emerged as the mystery buyer of close to half of a collection of ancient engraved gems sold by Christie’s New York.
The Los Angeles institution acquired 17 of the 40 Masterpieces in Miniature consigned for sale on April 29 by the heirs of Roman art dealer Giorgio Sangiorgi (1886-1965).