The
Gem collection of the MANN boasts more than 2000 ancient and modern
specimen. They all prove the level of refinement achieved
in glyptics and also express the collecting strategy that animated
the Italian and European courts since the Renaissance. Even the popes
couldn't avoid being captivated by such refined and coveted objects:
these gems were purchased, exchanged, donated and became a model to
imitate.
Farnese Gems
The gems were part of the Farnese collection inherited by Charles III of Bourbon from his mother, and transferred to Naples from 1736, first into the Royal Palace then to Capodimonte and finally into the Royal Bourbon Museum, now called the Archaeological Museum.
The collection was first started in Parma in the mid-seventeenth century, and later expanded through acquisitions and donations of pre-existing assemblages, belonging to Lorenzo de 'Medici, to the Venetian pope Paolo Barbo and to the antiquarian and librarian of the Farnese family Fulvio Orsini.
This collecton included both masterpieces of the ancient glyptics, some of which are still marked by the engraver's mark, such as Athenion or Dioskourides, and modern specimens inspired by ancient themes and subjects, which were selected and revisited according to the taste and the will of self-representation of the commissioner.
Perseus with the head of Medusa signed Dioskourides (2010/2018)Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Perseus holding the head of Medusa. Carved carnelian, signed by Dioskourides.
Gemme Farnese, inv. 26057.
Herakles fighting with the Nemean lion (2010/2018)Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Hercules fighting the nemean lion. Chalcedony agate cameo.
Gemme Farnese inv. 26004.
The punishment of Dirce (2010/2018)Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
The punishment of Dirce. Chalcedony agate cameo.
Gemme Farnese, inv. 25897.
Europa and the bull (2010/2018)Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Europe on the bull. Chalcedony agate.
Gemme Farnese, inv. 26971.
Bust of Asclepius (2010/2018)Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Bust of Asclepius. Carving on diasper.
Gemme Farnese, inv. 26081.
Apollo, Olympus and Marsyas (c.d. Sigillum Neronis) (2010/2018)Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Lorenzo de' Medici's gems
First
started by Cosimo the Elder, the collection was later expanded by his
nephew Lorenzo, who added unique specimens of remarkable
craftsmanship and fame. He also acquired the collection of Francesco
Gonzaga, duke of Mantua, and the one belonging to Cardinal Pietro
Barbo, later to become Pope Paul II. The latter collection was
donated to the Medici by Sixtus IV in 1471.
Apollo, Marsyas and Olympus, carving on carnelian, inv. 26051.
The gem was mentioned in the collection of Cosimo the Elder, who had commissioned the sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti a specially devised gold frame.
Ghiberti engraved the inscription on the metal NERO CLAUDIUS CAESAR AUGUSTUS GERMANICUS P. MAX. TR. P. IMP. PP, a series of titles taken from a coin of Nero, which gave the carnelian the name "seal of Nero".
Athena and Poseidon competing for dominion over Attica
Sardonyx agate cameo. Lorenzo de' Medici's gems, inv. 25837.
Three Cupids doing some woodworking
Sardonyx agate cameo. Lorenzo de' Medici's gems, inv. 25837.. inv. 25853
Dyonisus on a charriot pulled by Psychai (2010/2018)Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Dionysus travelling in a chariot pulled by Psychai
Sardonyx agate cameo, attributed to Sostratos. Lorenzo de' Medici's gems, inv. 25840
LAV.R.MED
Lorenzo de' Medici used to mark the most precious objects in his collection with this ex gemmis inscription.
Icarus and Daedalus, Pasiphae, and Artemis (2010/2018)Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Icarus, Daedalus, Pasiphae, and Artemis
Sardonyx agate cameo. Lorenzo de' Medici's gems, inv. 25838
Aphrodite riding on a goat over waves
Chalcedony agate cameo. Lorenzo de' Medici's gems, inv. 25845
Dionysus as a child
Sardonyx agate cameo. Lorenzo de' Medici's gems, inv. 25833
Satyr and young Dionysus
Sardonyx agate cameo. Lorenzo de' Medici's gems, inv. 25880
Hermaphroditus, Eros and Aphrodite
Sardonyx agate cameo, attributed to Protarchos. Lorenzo de' Medici's gems, inv. 25891
Hermes and Marsyas
Sardonyx agate cameo. Lorenzo de' Medici's gems, inv. 25957
Nereid riding an hippocampus
Carving on amethyst. Lorenzo de' Medici's gems, inv. 26091
Orsini's collection of gems
Fulvio Orsini (1528-1600) was the librarian and trusted antique dealer of the Farnese family, a numismatic expert and a pioneering researcher on the iconography of illustrious ancient men. He made a remarkable collection of carved gemstones, which included about 400 specimens, that he passed on to Odoardo Farnese at his death, along with other collections of coins, medals and busts.
Zeus fighting against the Giants (2010/2018)Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Zeus battling the Giants
Onyx agate cameo, signed by Athenion. Orsini's gems, inv. 25848.
Signed by Athenion, the cameo was probably made in the artistic milieu of Pergamon between the 3rd and the 2nd centuries BC.
The scene represents Zeus on quadriga striking down the Giants with his lighting, and could refer to the victories of the Attalid dynasty on the Galatians.
Alexander the Great
Chalcedony agate cameo. Orsini's gems, inv. 25988
Artemis (2010/2018)Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
Artemis
Carving on amethyst, signed by Apollonios. Orsini's gems, inv. 26070
Apollonios' signature. He an engraver under Augustus.
Barbo's collection of gems
The Venetian Pietro Barbo, cardinal of San Marco and then pope since 1464 with the name of Paul II, was a passionate collector of precious stones, which he gathered in the Roman palace of San Marco, later called Palazzo Venezia. As early as 1457, his collection included 821 pieces – both carvings and cameos. After his death in 1471, his collection passed down into the papal collections and, in part, merged into those of the Medici, as a gift of Sixtus IV.
Dancing menad
Chalcedony agate cameo, attributed to Sostratos. Barbo's gems, inv. 25914
Dancing menad
Chalcedony agate cameo, attributed to Sostratos. Barbo's gems, , inv. 25934
Dionysus
Sardonyx agate cameo. Barbo's gems, inv. 25908
Satyr and menad
Sardonyx agate cameo. Barbo's gems, inv. 25869
Nereid riding an hippocampus
Sardonyx agate cameo. Barbo's gems, inv.25979
Leda and the swan
Onyx agate cameo. Barbo's gems, inv. 25967
Photo credits Giorgio Albano
Photographic services MANN
