Reference:5912 Jasper Portrait of Anacreon, c. 1790

Intaglio bust to right. Greek inscription around.

22 mm. in diameter; 5 mm. in depth.

Condition: Extremely Fine

Notes:

The cutting of the jasper is of truly exceptional quality, enhanced yet further having been executed on a flan of such depth.

What makes this yet more exceptional is the encircled legend in Greek, this being the only such gem that can be found identifying the sitter in such a manner.

The portrait represents Anacreon, the Greek poetic and versifier, in whose memory a number of societies were established in London in the late 18th century for the purposes of merriment.

Verses ascribed to Anacreon were adapted in the composition of the American 'Star Spangled Banner'.

Worthy of further research!