About This Artwork

Italian

Pendant with Cameo showing a Laureate Head, 16th century (with later addition)

Cameo: agate; frame: gold and enamel
4.2 x 3.2 cm (1 3/16 x 1 in.)
Back engraved: "Lucius Verus"
Gift of Marilynn B. Alsdorf, 1992.553

Exhibition, Publication and Ownership Histories

Exhibition History

Mantua, Palazzo Te and Palazzo Ducale. Gonzaga: Le Celeste Galeria, Sept. 2-Dec. 8, 2002, cat. 85.

Publication History

M. H. Nevil Story-Maskelyne, The Marlborough Gems (London, 1870), p. 79, no. 477.

Ian Wardropper et al, Renaissance Jewelry in the Alsdorf Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago Museum Studies 25, 2 (2000, pp. 63 and 95, no. 27.

Ownership History

Thomas Howard (1585-1677), second Earl of Arundel, in Padua after 1640 [according to Gutman sale, 1969, p. 38]; by descent to Henry Frederick Lord Maltravers [acc. to Christie's, 1899, p. iv; for following chain of descent see Christie's, 1899, pp i-v and title page]; descended to son, sixth Duke of Norfolk; passed as property of divorce to Dutchess Lady Mary Mordaunt, 1700, d. 1705; bequeathed to surviving husband, Sir John Germain, remarried 1718; bequeathed to second wife, Lady Elizabeth Berkeley, d. 1769; bequeathed to great niece Lady Mary Beauclerk, 1762 as wedding gift (m. Lord Charles Spencer, brother of third Duke Marlborough; presumably passed to George Spencer, fourth Duke of Marlborough, by 1870 [see Story-Maskelyne, 1870, p. 79]; David Bromilow, Bitteswell Hall, Lutterworth, England, by 1875 [acc. to Christie's, 1899, title page]; bequeathed to daughter Mrs. Jary (Julia H. Mary) [sold London, Christie's, June 1899, no. 477]. Henry Oppenheimer, b. Washington and later Frankfurt and then London (d. 1932) [sold London, Christie's July 22-23,1936, no. 220]. Melvin Gutman, New York, by 1968; his sale, New York, Parke-Bernet, April 24, 1969, no. 73; Marilynn B. Alsdorf, Chicago [according to Wardropper 2000, p. 4]; given to the Art Institute, 1992.