Italian, 16th century | Intaglio with a Bacchic Procession

(probably) Mr Miliotti [as recorded in Tassie, no. 843]

(probably) R. E. Raspe, A descriptive catalogue of a general collection of ancient and modern engraved gems, cameos as well as intaglios, London, 1791, no. 8483 ['Cornelian. Mr Miliotti, A hero and a female, having laid down some arms before a cippus of Pan, or Bacchus, set fire to an altar. They are followed by an heroic figure who seems desirous to crown them, and by a Genius with a horn of plenty under his right arm. A composition, like many others of Va. Belli, say nothing.']

This very beautiful intaglio shows a procession of figures making a sacrifice to the wine god Dionysus/ Bacchus or Pan. The model is recorded in Raspe/ Tassie (op. cit., no. 843). The present intaglio is a strong candidate to be the gem from which the Tassie impression was taken since it is a carnelian, as is recorded in Tassie. Tassie attributed the gem to the celebrated 16th-century gem engraver Valerio Belli (circa 1468-1546) who is famed for the magnificent wedding casket with engraved rock crystal panels commissioned by the Medici Pope Clement VII for Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici (and now in the Museo degli Argenti, Pitti Palace, Florence).