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Wartski
A very fine intaglio of Psyche by Filippo Rega
Amethyst, gold
Naples, Italy
1815-20
The intaglio carved in an octagonally shaped amethyst, set in a gold swivel ring.
Signed: PEΓA
description
A very fine intaglio of Psyche carved in an octagonally shaped amethyst, a left facing profile of the young maiden with her hair tied with ribbons,
a small pair of butterfly wings on her back. Mounted in a gold swivel ring in the antique style with reeded border and band.
Naples, c.1815-20
Signed: PEΓA
The word psyche comes via Latin from the Greek for ‘breath’, ‘life’ and ‘soul.’ In antiquity, it was believed that the soul escaped the body in the form of a butterfly carried in the last breath of the dying. The story of the beautiful princess Psyche, who was tested by the goddess Venus, first appeared in late antiquity in The Golden Ass by Lucius Apuleius.
It was considered an allegory of the soul’s journey through life. In painting and sculpture, Psyche is often depicted accompanied by her attribute the butterfly or with butterfly wings.
The choice of an amethyst for this subject is unlikely to be coincidental. In antiquity, it was believed to possess a purifying property and the ethereal and almost ephemeral quality of the stone, with its wisps of purple, suit the subject perfectly.
a small pair of butterfly wings on her back. Mounted in a gold swivel ring in the antique style with reeded border and band.
Naples, c.1815-20
Signed: PEΓA
The word psyche comes via Latin from the Greek for ‘breath’, ‘life’ and ‘soul.’ In antiquity, it was believed that the soul escaped the body in the form of a butterfly carried in the last breath of the dying. The story of the beautiful princess Psyche, who was tested by the goddess Venus, first appeared in late antiquity in The Golden Ass by Lucius Apuleius.
It was considered an allegory of the soul’s journey through life. In painting and sculpture, Psyche is often depicted accompanied by her attribute the butterfly or with butterfly wings.
The choice of an amethyst for this subject is unlikely to be coincidental. In antiquity, it was believed to possess a purifying property and the ethereal and almost ephemeral quality of the stone, with its wisps of purple, suit the subject perfectly.
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