Cameo, Amphitrite on a sea bull, between 1st century BC-1st century AD, mount is from 17th century, Period/Style/Movement is Roman Imperial. Made of Sardonyx and Gold [5050 x 4040]

Amphitrite sits atop a sea bull that leaps over the waves to carry her away. The animal’s rump ends in a long, eel-like tail, coiled in several loops, and terminates in two arms reminiscent of a lobster’s claws. The goddess, whose hair is held back by a headband and coiled in a bun at the nape of her neck, holds the ends of the reins around the bull’s horns in her right hand. Four Cupids or Genii are in the scene, helping to restrain the animal. A fifth Cupid stands on the back of a dolphin. Cameo is made of Sardonyx (reddish-brown and yellowish-white, two-layered, cameo carving) and Gold (metal technique, enameled).

The cameo is described by Peiresc at the beginning of the 17th century, in the collection of M. de la Bourdesière who had purchased it in Paris. He specifies that it previously adorned the binding of a manuscript from a church treasury.

Between the bull’s forelegs, in relief, is an artist’s signature added by a modern engraver (probably in the 16th century).