Rarest Museum Quality Antique Hardstone Ares Borghese Cameo 14K August R. Wild

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Rarest Museum Quality Antique Hardstone Ares Borghese Cameo 14K August R. Wild:
$5250.00

Perfect Museum QualityAntique Hardstone Ares Borghese Cameo 14K Pearl Pendant

Cameo Material: Hardstone– Probably Agate – Sardonyx

Pendant and Bail:Gold – 14k Acid Tested

Approximate Cameo Size: 1.77 inches(4.5 cm) Length by 1.3 inches (3.3 cm) Width

Approximate Pendant Size:2.01 inches (5.1 cm) Length by 1.38 inches (3.5cm) Width – w/out bail (0.47 inch - 1.2 cm bail length)

Weight:16.4grams

Pleasefeel free to make me an offer and please check out my other items.

[link removed by ]

Thestatue was likely most famously engraved into intaglio form by Nathaniel Marchantconsidered to be one of the finest intaglio engravers in history.

[link removed by ]

Pleasenote that both the British Museum and Beazley seem to inaccurately attributethe work to Achilles.

Thiscameo is a near perfect rending of the Marchant intaglio into cameo formdepicting a youthful Ares looking downward with a pensive expression. It is an absolutely beautiful piece. Theoriginal Ares Borghese does not include a crest, although several copies dosuggesting the original crest may have broken off. Ares was the son of Zeus andHera. The god of war is depicted with a sphynx atop his helm which supports thecrest. There is also a griffin and scrolling carved into the helm. Ares is theembodiment of physical valor necessary for success in war but he was alsoconsidered to be dangerous, overwhelming, destructive, and insatiable and was reportedlyreviled by his father Zeus for these qualities. There is one other popularized bust cameo depiction of Ares based on an intaglio piece by William and Charles Brown. However, I believe this version to be the most stunning depiction with very clear basis in iconography dating from antiquity.

The sale house which I purchased the item from indicated that it dated from the 19th century. However, based upon my review of research, this cameo is attributable as work of August Rudolph Wild (b.1891 - d.1956).

[link removed by ]

August Rudolph Wild

August Rudolph Wild was one of the last masters of cameo engraving. He also completed a variety of other beautiful works of art including paintings and various drawings. Unfortunately, the popularity of cameo engraving was in decline during the height of his artistic ability. Additionally, much of the world was experiencing the turmoil of WWI and the great depression during the same period. This was further diminished, particularly in Germany, with the rise of the Nazi Party and their suppression of what was considered \'degenerate art\'. In 1937 August Rudolph Wild won three Grand Prizes at the Paris World\'s Fair in class 59 - Group XI. Because of the organizing efforts of the Nazi party at the World\'s Fair as well as their destruction of art considered \'degenerate\' Wild did not attend the World\'s Fair to accept his prize. Due to health problems associated with his lungs August could not continue engraving after 1942. His works are on display at the Idar-Oberstein museum.

A photograph of several Ares Borghese cameo works are available at the following website dedicated to his works, with a matching piece visible towards the middle of the page. According to information available, August Rudolf Wild\'s finest works were produced in the mid-1920s, this work appears to be engraved during this same period.

[link removed by ]

The approximate cameosize is1.77inches (4.5 cm) Length by 1.3 inches (3.3 cm) Width

Pendant:

The gold 14K acid tested brooch (pendant and bail) complementsthat cameo wonderfully. It has 9 pearlsof varying sizes embedded into the top of the pendant and bail.

Thecameo and brooch weigh 16.4 grams.

The approximate broochsize is2.01inches (5.1 cm) Length by 1.38 inches (3.5 cm) Width – w/out bail (0.47 inch - 1.2cm bail length).

Condition:The cameo and pendant are in wonderful condition. I have not identifiedany significant flaws. I have made every effort to provide accuratephotographic evidence of any blemishes I have identified during my inspectionof the item.Payment:

Paymentshould be made via Paypal within 7 days of the sale. I only accept Paypalpayments.Shipping:

Iwill ship the item within 3 days of payment. I will cover insurance andshipping fees with insurance are approximately $30.00. I will ship via registeredfirst class mail USPS with insurance on the item.International shipping will be a higher price dependent upon location.This cost will also include shipmenttracking and insurance. Forinternational shipping: the purchaser is responsible for all fees/costs/taxesassociated with international shipping including customs duties, etc.Importduties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shippingcharges. These charges are the buyer\'s responsibility.Please check withyour country\'s customs office to determine what these additional costs will beprior to offerding/buying.

PleaseMessage me if you need additional information.

Returns:Item returns will be accepted. Buyer must notify me within 14 days from the“date of acceptance” of the delivery of the item. No refunds will be given ifthe item has been altered, damaged, tampered with, etc. Refunds will be givenupon receipt of the item in the condition that it was sent. Buyer will pay thereturn shipping costs including insurance on the item for the sale price whichit was purchased for.Thanks for your interest and good luck. If you are interested in the itemplease send me an offer.