A gold pendant set with a large oval two-layers agate cameo set in a golden frame. The choice of Hercules between ...

A gold pendant set with a large oval two-layers agate cameo set in a golden frame. The choice of Hercules between Virtue and Vice .

16th century

Cameo : 36 x 47 mm 27,90 g

The scene, The Choice of Hercules, is taken from classical mythology. The seated figure of Hercules chooses between Virtue and Vice, here personified by the two goddesses Minerva (with a helmet) and Venus with Eros. A very close parallel is an oval bronze plaquette (Victoria and Albert Museum inv. A.479-1910) with naked figure of Hercules seated draped in a lion's skin at the left and holding his club. In front of him stand Minerva, helmeted and holding a spear and an olive branch, and Venus, leading Cupid by the hand (inscription: INSTAR). Probably cast from a mould made of a rock crystal or hardstone carving by Valerio Belli. There is also a version in the British Museum which is signed by Valerio Belli. Related hardstone cameo versions exist in Berlin and Naples. The seated figure of Hercules is a reference to one of Michelangelo's slaves in the Sistine chapel. The style is that of the gem-engraver Valerio Belli (around 1468-1546), who worked for two successive popes. Almost all of his bronze plaquettes are cast from his intaglios in rock crystal or hardstone. In this case, however, no rock crystal original has yet been identified. The bronzes would have been cast from a plaster or brass mould made from the original hardstone engraving. This large agate cameo, probably made for a gilted metal casket, is mounted in a gold frame and it is cracked in 4 pieces. The piece is masterfully carved in high relief. The lot is sold in an elegant boxe which includes a solid silver cast impression of this beautiful cameo.

Parallels: H. Burns, M. Collareta, D. Gasparotto, Valerio Belli vicentino. 1468 c. - 1546, p. 65 n. 18, cat. 124; Victoria and Albert Museum Database: inv. A.479-1910

European private collection.